Chapter 107: Son of Jormungand(2/6)
Sif, and Lash both took a knee and bowed their heads in respect towards Odin, Frigga, and Thor. Odin slammed his spear end into the ground with a resounding echo. The throne room doors closed behind them, and the Einherjar stationed in the throne room left at the behest of Odin. Once everyone had left the room that needed to leave. Odin sighed softly and leaned back in his throne, setting his spear to the side. He looked at Sif, and Lash with a complicated expression.
“Rise Lady Sif, and Lash we have much to discuss.” Odin said at last, Lash waited for Sif to stand before he did. Something that she glared at him for, and Frigga smiled at.
“Lash I order you to relax!” Odin called out, and Lash felt a powerful magical compulsion wash over him. Nullification activated and Odin narrowed his eyes when he felt his spell rebound.
“Please...” Frigga called out. Lash grumbled and straightened his shoulders out and looked up at them.
“We found him, Loki.” Odin said at last, and Lash looked towards him in surprise. A question clear on his face.
“I've been scrying for him since he fell hoping to give you some insight to his location. When at last I saw him he was not alone. A creature of pure malice sat before him instructing him on the use of a powerful artifact. A scepter with a blue jewel, and a spear pointed edge. Wrapped in a golden metal unlike anything we have seen.” Frigga said to Lash. Her body language was composed, and regal. But her voice had the slightest quiver in it. Something was wrong.
“He's on Midgard.” Thor said, looking at Lash with expression of anger but also sadness.
Lash and Thor had never really been friends. Lash had always been Loki's friend, but he had played mediator between brothers many times. Though he had not always be successful. Lash admired Thor and had said as much. Unfortunately Loki had over heard Lash's compliment. That was the day that Loki and him started to drift apart.
“With your permission I'll go and retrieve him then?” Lash asked them all. Frigga smiled at him, and Thor did the same. While Odin sat still on his throne watching Lash carefully. Sif clapped him on the back with a grin.
“How?” Odin asked, a simple question with a complicated answer.
“I'll travel the roots of Yggdrasil and arrive on Midgard. It will take... A few months, maybe a year Midgard time. Unless...We have a timetable?” Lash asked, curious about the situation as well as Erik whispered in his ear.
“Loki has found the Tesseract.” Frigga commented, and Lash leaned back in surprise. His background WP purchase filling him in on it. Though Erik knew it contained an infinity stone. That was not part of the background information.
“With the Tesseract we could rebuild the Bifrost!” Sif said suddenly, then chewed on her bottom lip in thought. Thor nodded in agreement, as did Frigga, and gradually Odin did as well.
“But if he knows how to use it, then Loki could travel anywhere he wanted to. No matter the distance or dimension. Alright! I have an idea that could take us to Midgard in less than a day. But its a bit dangerous.” Lash said after some thought, that got every ones attention.
“How?” Odin asked, a little bit of a smile tugging on his stoic face.
“I'll need Lord Heimdall, and Queen Frigga's witches assistance. I can bring one other person with me. The trip will drain me greatly. If Thor will honor me with his companionship. I'll open the way, and he can look for Loki on Midgard.” Lash asked, and Frigga, and Thor agreed immediately, but Odin waited for an answer. Lash had danced around it.
“In my travels I have learned to create portals between two locations. Despite which dimension they lay in. However it can only be to places I've been before. Specifically places I've been to after I obtained the ability. I've been to Midgard, but that was before I had this.” Lash said, and created a Phantasm to illustrate his method.
“We'll use Heimdall's all seeing eyes to look at Midgard. Thor we'll use your perception, and experience of Midgard as the focus point. While Queen Frigga's witches can channel power into the ritual. We will then jump from Asgard to Midgard.” Lash said, and gave a comical, all be it instructive explanation with his illusions. Puppets! Lots, and lots of puppets!
“Is that possible?” Thor asked, clearly puzzled as he looked at the puppets perform the ritual and jump from one point to another. Odin turned to his wife Frigga who had a look of concentration on her face.
“Yes....Yes! That may be possible!” Frigga turned to Odin who nodded. He slammed his spear into the ground and the Einherjar came back into the room.
“Call the witch council to the Bifrost bridge! Inform Heimdall we are coming to him immediately. We have work to do!” Odin announced to the soldiers who saluted and took off at a run.
“All of you head to the bridge, I wish to speak to Lash alone.” Odin said to the room. Everyone saluted, while Frigga kissed Odin on the cheek and whispered a few words to him. Thor clapped Lash on the shoulder.
“I'll see you soon! We'll soon join hands in battle my friend!” Thor said, and Lash felt himself stand up a bit straighter. First time Thor had called him that. After a few minutes everyone left the throne room.
“Come with me, I have something to show you.” Odin said to Lash. He stood up and Lash followed in his wake.
Odin took Lash towards the war room where a massive map magical map showed Asgard the realm eternal as well as the nine realms beneath it. There early warning system satellites showed several in bound marauder ships starting to land on different planets across the realms. Lash growled slightly at the sight and Odin smiled at him. Gesturing towards the map of Asgard.
“I know you and Loki were...Close. Or had been. In recent years Loki became more, and more excluded from the rest of us. But you continued to try and be is friend, and ally. I must ask, if I order you to retrieve Loki and the Tesseract will you do so with out question?” Odin asked, and Lash could feel a spell fall over him. This was a test.
“Yes All Father! He is my friend, but Asgard is my home. I will of course protect it, and do what I can to keep it safe. It and the nine realms we protect.” Lash said, and meant it. Odin watched him carefully for a moment. Waiting for any kind of deception.
“Kneel! I have a gift to grant you!” Odin called, and Lash dropped to a single knee so fast there was a resounding SMACK heard in the hall. Lash winced slightly, owe.
“Lash, Jormungandson for to long you have been a stranger in your own home. When you were born I had taken something from you that I know now I had been wrong to do so. I release the seal, and remove the spell I have placed. Stand now! Asgardian, God of Monsters!” Odin said, and slammed his spear into the ground three times.
Like a key unlocking a reinforced door. The proclamation sent a wave of energy crashing into Lash. He felt an untapped power bursting from his body and he had become one of the few Asgardians of his generation with a domain! Odin had kept this from him all this time? Testing him? Lash sighed in mental annoyance at the drama of his background. But it was nice to have his Divine Domain unlocked.
Skill/Power, Transformation has unlocked.
Spell, Manifestation has unlocked.
Ah! That was nice! Lash could use this! He stood up and felt his body become renewed with energy. He bowed from his waist at a 90 degree angle towards Odin. Who looked at him with acceptance and acknowledgment. But this made him wonder if he had spent his WP differently would he had ever unlocked his Domain of Monsters? Maybe he could redo the Rift at a different time. Was there a way to replay old Rifts? He'd have to ask Dawn later.
Odin called an officer of the Einherjar and had them announce to Asgard that a new God had been rediscovered. The officer was surprised but did as he was bid and ran off to tell the news to the realm. For better or worse Lash was going to be treated a lot differently now. He couldn't imagine the Monster domain was very popular in Asgardian history.
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Different was the word to describe his reception through the golden city. Many people waved, and smiled at him. While others looked at him with pure fear, and mistrust. The simple truth of the matter is not all Asgardians are 'Gods, and or Goddesses'. Many are just people. Now! Every Asgardian is still a powerhouse compared to a human this is true. But only a few a generation are granted Domains. Sif is the Goddess of War. Thor is the God of Thunder, etc, etc. Being an Asgardian with a Domain was an incredible honor, privilege, and responsibility. Being the son of Jormungand Lash could in some small way understand why he had sealed it away.
Lash arrived on the rainbow bridge to find Heimdall, Thor, Queen Frigga, and over a dozen Asgardian witches at the ready to assist in the ritual at hand. Thor had a huge grin on his face, and Frigga had a proud smile. While Heimdall had an indifferent expression, but his eyes told another story of joy and trust towards Lash. Had they known before? Or was this news to them as well? Did it matter? If Lash was petty it may have, but honestly it didn't bother him as much. He understood why it was done, and rolled with it.
“Respectful greetings unto you sisters of the sun and moon.” Lash said to the witches and bowed from his waist deeply. They bowed in response, many of them pleased by his courtesy. The witches and him were a lot a like. Not everyone like them either.
“Lord Thor!” Lash called out and Thor laughed at him walking over and clapped him on the back.
“Just Thor, as Sif would say we are friends! Or shall I challenge you to it?” Thor said, and Lash tried to argue the point but... Now? Things were different.
“Thor, who in all of Midgard is most important to you?” Lash asked, and Thor's face took on an expression of happiness, and in part sadness.
“Jane Foster.” Thor replied.
“Lord H...” Lash started but stepped back at Heimdall's glare. Thor laughed in delight, a huge booming laugh that made others wince but grin all the same.
“Heimdall, can you please locate Lady Foster on Midgard for us?” Lash asked, as he started to inscribe a ritual spell into the air around them. He instructed the witches to take place around the circle with the Queen at the main power point.
“I see her...” Heimdall called out.
“Thor come into the circle.” Lash called, and directed the God of Thunder through the intricate pattern. The witches began to empower the ritual circle. “We are hand in hand in this, Thor. The door will only be open for a moment. We rush through and meet this woman who has stolen your heart.” Lash said with a smile, and Thor. Stars above and below, Thor! Blushed a bit, then grinned.
“Heimdall grant us your sight.” Lash asked, and Heimdall used his power to enchant their eyes for a brief moment. There in perfect clarity was Jane Foster talking to a young woman with glasses, and a sassy attitude. Darcy was her name, Erik said across the link.
Attention User, Portal Creation has temporarily been reinforced.
Penalty, Portal Creation can not be used again for one month of Dream Time. (Rift time does count)
Unlike the sling ring portals that Doctor Strange uses. This portal was a vortex of animated darkness, and starlight. It grew to be about ten feet around from its center point and pulled everything around in its immediate area towards it with a gradual insistence. Not enough to yank anyone off their feet. But enough that if they were not careful it could knock them off their feet. Lash pulled Thor through the portal as quickly as possible. For as soon as they stepped through they were gone!
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The ritual circle broke apart into pieces and several of the witches fell to their knees in exhaustion. Queen Frigga felt more than half of her spell power leave her as quickly as she could snap her fingers. She felt her heart clench in worry as she saw her son sprint through the portal. She sent a silent prayer to the ancestors above to watch over them both. Then she looked towards Heimdall who was looking out across the stars.
“Did they make it?” Frigga asked, her voice laced with worry. Heimdall turned towards her with a smile on his face.
“Yes, they made it.” Heimdall said, and Frigga let out a breath that she didn't realize she was holding.
“Thank you ladies for your efforts.” Frigga said to the witches who bowed to her in respect.....
Queen Frigga, All Mother returned to the palace in search of her husband. Feeling with her magic she went into the bowels of the golden palace to the energy core of the palace it self. Odin was standing in front of a massive generator. A generator that used dark magic as its power source. Frigga walked to her husbands side and took his hand into her own. Odin was startled a bit but returned a gentle squeeze to his loving wife.
“Are they off?” Odin asked, not taking his eye off the generator.
“Yes, all we can do now is hope.” Frigga replied, watching her husband with concern.
“If Lash had not offered a way to Midgard I would have used the dark energy to send Thor. Now, now he may have saved this old mans life.” Odin confessed to his wife who frowned at him.
“Buying us a few hundred more years together?” Frigga said with a smile, one that Odin returned.
“You don't look a day over three thousand my love.” Odin said, and Frigga raised an eye brow at him.
“Only three thousand?” Frigga asked, and Odin laughed a grin spreading across his face. Frigga snuggled into Odin's embrace and they stood there watching the dark energy generator working.
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***Rift. Trosmo Norway***
A spinning vortex of darkness and starlight opened up and spit out to confused, and puzzled travelers from another world, another dimension. Then they both realized something. They were about a few miles off course, vertically! They dropped from the sky as gravity took effect and flew like bricks towards the surface.
“Wooooooohoooooo!” Lash called out with a triumphant smile on his face. Thor let out a loud guffaw and spun his hammer to fly straight down.
“Do you need me to carry you, friend Lash?” Thor asked before took flight.
“I'm fine Thor! Go see your lovely lady!” Lash called out and cast Falling Glide on himself. He dramatically slowed down, but kept falling at a steady pace. Thor laughed again and flew towards an observatory.
You've arrived safely then. I will begin to look for Loki. But be patient, his magic has always distorted my sight. -Heimdall said, using his avatar projection...Or was it Telepathy? Lash wasn't sure. Marvel magic was different in many ways. But also similar to DC magic...
Lash had never been to Norway as far as he could recall in his home reality. But he had been here once or twice in his background. He distinctly remembered his father Jormungand telling him about Midgard about the different places there. Lash had wanted to see it when he was younger. Being able to travel through the roots of the world tree he didn't need permission to use the Bifrost he could just go himself. That had been one of the few times he had been summoned to Odin's throne room to be punished for insubordination. One of the few times that Loki had come to his defense and convinced Odin not to punish Lash.
Gliding across the city below Lash followed the unique scent of magic that came off of Thor. Or more specifically his Divine spark as a God. Different rules in this universe, but somethings stayed the same. He came to a large observatory off from the side of the city and Lash cast Invisibility on himself so he would not be seen by the mortals of Midgard. Though Lash at the time looked largely human save for his reptilian eyes. He landed softly, and with barely a sound.
Surrounding the observatory were several black armored SUV's with the SHIELD eagle logo on the side. Honestly how can you be a secret organization if you have a public logo? Lash rolled his eyes and walked up the lawn off the sidewalk so he wouldn't be ran into. He cast Anonymity on himself and pulled Invisibility off. Then slipped through the front door. More specifically through the broken glass door that Thor walked through when it refused to open for him. More than likely shouting that he was a prince of Asgard and would not be denied.
Taking care not to run into anyone or do anything out of the ordinary. Lash knew that his armor would easily make him noticeable. He could feel his spell threatening to break at any moment. He was a very tall, armor clad, alien from another dimension walking through the halls. A few people glanced at him rubbed their eyes but looked away believing him to be...Who ever should be here at this moment.
“Get a room you two!” A young woman said with obvious good nature teasing in her voice.
Lash walked through a busted door and saw Thor, and Jane Foster making out. Beside them was Darcy Lewis. A young woman who stood approximately at 5'8” maybe taller if she would stop slouching. With straight brown hair, green eyes hidden behind black rimmed glasses. She wore blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a hoodie that said, 'My god wields a hammer, your god was nailed to a cross. Do the math.'
Jane Foster was approximately 5'7” with long brown hair currently being messed about by Thor's hands. She had blue eyes that were fluttering open and closed. As if she was afraid Thor would disappear from her once again. She wore tennis shoes, blue jeans, and white buttoned up shirt. Unlike Darcy with her hoodie on, Jane had a good athletic figure. Something that Thor was clearly enjoying. Lash coughed a few times until Darcy screamed in shock at seeing him standing so close to her.
“HOLY CRAP!” Darcy jumped back in surprise when she looked at Lash appear out of now where. Thor, and Jane broke their kiss and Jane's eyes went wide at the sight him. Thor looked a little confused not sure why they were surprised.
“Oh! Forgive me! Lady Lewis, Jane this is my friend Lash Jormungandson.” Thor said with a smile and clapped Lash on the back.
“Respectful greetings to you Lady Lewis, and betrothed Lady Foster.” Lash said, and bowed from his waist to them both. Darcy smiled at the sight of him, then had a full blown grin when Jane turned red as a tomato when Lash said she was the betrothed of Thor.
“Wha? What!? I...What!?” Jane said, stammering in embarrassment. Even Thor looked surprised, but the idea was growing on him quickly.
“Ohhh so the whole God and Mortal thing is known on Asgard? Coooool.” Darcy said with a smirk.
“Darcy!” Jane said, glaring at her intern who shrugged her shoulders all innocent like. Then took out her phone to send a tweet.
“Ummmm, excuse me. But...Who are you people?” A shield agent asked who was standing off to the side.
“Oh!” Jane cleaned her mouth off a bit and tried to fix her hair. Thor smiled at her, then looked at the agent with a faint recognition.
“We need to speak to Phil, son of cole. Is he available?” Thor asked the agent who looked at him him in confusion.
“Dude! He's talking about Agent Coulson, get with the program, yo!” Darcy said from the side, not looking up from her phone. The agent sent an annoyed glance at the woman, but when he realized that was who Thor meant he got on the phone.
“Where have you been?” Jane asked Thor now that they were not trying to devour each other.
So, that was when Thor described what had happened. His return to Asgard and the destruction of the Bifrost. This also explained why Jane could never get a working wormhole to Asgard. At the time she couldn't explain why the portal would stabilize for a moment then become unstable. There was no viable connection on the other side! Then Thor talked about his brother, how he was on Midgard now. With the Tesseract. They had been tasked by Odin to retrieve the Tesseract, and bring Loki home. He also informed Jane that it was Lash who brought them both to her specifically.
“Wait!? You created a portal from Asgard to Earth through...Magic? All by yourself?” Jane asked, looking at Lash with surprise.
“We used the magic of the sacred coven on Asgard to power the ritual. Then with the all seeing sight of Heimdall we made a connection. Using your feelings for Thor as the anchor point to propel us through the dimensional wall that separates our two dimensions. Simple.” Lash said to her. While Jane, and Darcy looked at him like he had lost his mind.
“No, no! Hold on back up!” Jane said as she stepped closer to look at Lash like he was a piece of prime rib.
“Wait! Jane's love was so powerful you could use it as an anchor to pull yourselves across the universe! Dude that is so sweet! That is going up!” Darcy said with a smile then snapped in annoyance when the SHIELD agent took her phone from her.
Unlike Thor who didn't understand that Midgard didn't teach advanced physics as basic education. Lash sat down with Jane and went through the entire process. Explained what magic was aka universal energy. The ability to pull on cosmic energy to manipulate reality. Or make ones desires into reality. He received several Science, and Magical Intuition experience points during the discussion. Thor stepped in several times explaining different points. But mostly he stood by Jane, and held her hand taking great joy in the simple contact.
“Excuse me? Agent Coulson is sending a quin-jet to pick you both up. They have your brother Loki in custody.” The agent told them both. Really!? Lash thought they were going to have to hunt him down.
“Wait! Before we go!” Lash said, and used Enchanting Word, Quality Enhancement, Compression Transformation, Fabrication, Alteration, Portal Creation, Phantasm, Clairvoyance, Bending, Artist, and Crafting to make two talismans.
Oan metal, and Nth metal talismans x 2
Rating: B+ *
Effect: Long distance, dimensional communication.
Effect: Calling.
Effect: Focus, and body heat symbiosis.
Effect: Natural Energy Absorption as power source.
Comment: A satellite phone that can call across the universe. Only has one number available!
The talisman had a simple Nth metal chain, and threaded through the Oan metal disk. He handed the two pieces to Jane, and Thor and explained it was capable of talking even if they were in different universes. This way even if they couldn't see each other they could still talk to each other. Thor looked at the talisman than at Jane who had tears in her eyes. She quickly cleaned her face trying to not cry. Darcy had a huge grin on her face.
“Do I get something?” Darcy asked, looking at Lash with hopeful determination. Lash thought about it for a moment than snatched her phone away from the SHIELD agent who took it. Then changed the phone into a holographic one. Technically Stark industries already had holographics. He also increased its durability, and battery life.
“NO FUCKING WAY!” Darcy squealed when her twitter page was popping up in her face with information.
“My friend I will never be able to repay this treasure you have given us!” Thor said with a smile and brought Lash into a bone crushing hug. Lash was actually surprised Asgard didn't have long distance communication.
“So how do these work?” Jane asked her eyes a little red, but she was determined to push past the awkwardness of the moment.
Lash explained quantum entanglement, and faster than light speed communication. Etc, etc. Jane about lost her shit when she looked down at the tiny metal disk in her hand. The SHIELD agents were practically drooling at the idea of getting their hands on it. Thankfully the spell Calling could transport the talismans back to their original intended if anyone stole it from Jane, and Thor. But Lash was sure Thor would kill anyone who would try and take his from him.
The quin-jet was still about an hour out. Lash encouraged Thor to spend some 'quality' time with Jane before they left. While Lash took a bit to talk to Darcy who was asking questions about her new phone. While Lash waited around he used Sherogoth's Blessing to inspect all of the SHIELD agents. Thankfully all the current agents seemed like the good sort. If this was the movie universe that would mean SHIELD was infiltrated by Hydra.
Though Lash was not really surprised by it. Thor apparently was when Jane insisted that she come along to help. Thor wanted to object about the dangers but she pegged him with a glare and Thor became meek as a kitten. Lash leaned back in total shock at the sight of him like that. With Jane coming along, so would Darcy. So the quin-jet was now flying with four passengers towards the helicarrier.
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***Rift. Helicarrier, somewhere near North America***
Nick Fury! Director of Shield and all around bad ass! Stood on the bridge of the helicarrier watching a monitor of a quin-jet landing on the strip. Out came four individuals that upset, and confused him. Jane Foster, and Darcy Lewis he knew. Talented astrophysicists, and loyal intern he could handle. But a literal god of thunder, and an unknown? An unknown that from the reports could craft technological advanced pieces of hardware and place them in simple piece of jewelry. The Council was going to be shitting bricks when they found out.
“Agent Hill. Please bring our guests to the control room. Assemble the team for another debrief.” Fury said, his voice leveled, smooth, and indifferent. But Hill who had worked with him for years could see the signs of stress building in his body language.
“Yes sir!” Agent Hill said, turning on her heel and walked out of the control room to pick up their new arrivals.
Fury sent out a few messages calling back Captain Rogers, Stark, Dr. Banner, Agent Romanoff, and Agent Coulson. Then Fury brought up a view screen of Loki sitting in the Hulks cage on the main detention center level. Loki was pacing in the cell with a little smirk on his face. But something odd happened, the moment that the two Asgardians stepped into the main command tower Loki twisted and turned towards their direction even though hundreds of metal separated them. Loki looked...Nervous? Interesting, Fury could use this.
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“This is so cooool!” Darcy said, bouncing up and down in the metal hallways of the helicarrier.
“Darcy!” Jane said, pulling her intern to her side and glared at her.
“Well your no fun! Hay Lash, why cant my phone work in here?” Darcy asked, not getting any signal bars.
“I believe that is because the SHIELD is blocking the transmission to prevent lost of information aboard their flying boat? Ship? Lady Hill is this vessel capable of space flight?” Lash asked Agent Hill who was guiding them to the control center.
Agent Maria Hill! Erik the gamer was practically dancing across their link he was geeking out! Hill was approximately 5'10” with intense brown eyes, and shoulder length brown hair tied up and out of the way with hair pins. She had a strong athletic rectangular figure. She wore a black jump suit, with navy blue along the hem, and inner zip line. The SHIELD logo on her shoulders, and one over her heart. She glanced back at Lash and looked at him in mild confusion.
“No.... It floats in the water, and flies through the sky.” Hill replied, Lash nodded in understanding.
“I'll have to speak to your engineers when this is all over. Perhaps we'll get an FTL engine installed as well.” Lash said so in such a easy going tone. Like one would be talking about the weather, and not interstellar travel. Agent Hill missed stepped just a bit but quickly recovered.
Darcy looked back at Lash and grinned. Giving him a thumbs up. Lash looked at the gesture in confusion then looked up at the ceiling expecting something from it. Darcy covered her mouth with a laugh, and Jane leaned in to tell Lash was a slang term on Earth. As in he did, 'OK, or that was great!' Lash looked confused, even though internally he was laughing. This was to much fun, misinterpreting Earth slang, and common terms.
“Where you serious about the FTL engine?” Jane asked in a hushed whisper but despite her low volume Lash noticed Hill tilt her head to the side to listen.
“Very much so, Midgard can't not always rely on Asgard for protection. No offense Thor. Having a ship capable of FTL would greatly allow Midgardians to protect themselves.” Lash replied with an honest smile that Jane mirrored.
“Where have you been all my life?” Jane asked, and Thor looked at her in shock.
“No! No! Thor that isn't what I meant at all! I...I” Jane said, then stopped to look at Thor who was hiding a grin. “Ohhhh you ar-->>