Goddess of Deception
The Aether
Thor grabs me and we fly down the Rainbow bridge to Heimdall. Heimdall sends us to Jane’s last known location. We land in what looks like England. It’s pouring down rain. I see Jane and Darcy standing across the parking lot. Jane sees us and runs over. I realize that the rain has stopped, but only around us. Jane slaps Thor.
“Sorry. I just needed to make sure you were real. It's been a very strange day.” Jane said
“I am. Jane, what...” Thor said
Jane slaps him again.
“Where were you?” Jane asked
“Where were you? Heimdall cannot see you.” Thor said
"I was right here where you left me. I was waiting, and then I was crying and then I went out looking for you. You said you were coming back.” Jane said
“I know. I know, but the Bifrost was destroyed. The Nine Realms erupted into chaos. Wars were raging, marauders were pillaging. I had to put an end to the slaughter.” Thor said
“As excuses go, it's not terrible. But I saw you on TV. You were in New York!” Jane said
“Jane, I fought to protect you from the dangers of my world but I was wrong. I was a fool. But I believe that fate brought us together. Jane, I don't know where you were, or what happened, but I do know this...” Thor said moving closer to Jane
“What?” Jane said
“I know...” Thor said
“You do'?” Jane said
They were about to kiss.
“Do what?” Thor said
“What?” Jane said
“Jesus Christ, are you two going to kiss or not because this is just…weird. And can we talk about this force field thing.” I said pointing out how the rain is not falling on us
Thor looks around. Darcy runs up.
“Hey! Is this you'?” Darcy asked Thor about the rain
Thor stops the rain
“Uh, we're kind of in the middle of something here,” Jane tells Darcy
“Um, I'm pretty sure we are getting arrested,” Darcy said
“Hold that thought,” Jane said running over to the police officers
“Look at you two, still all muscly and everything. How's space?” Darcy asked
“Space is fine,” I said
Jane is talking to the police officer then an explosion happens.
"What the fuck?" I said
“Jane,” Thor said running to Jane
“Thor?” Jane said
“Are you all right?” I asked Jane
“What just happened?” Jane asked
“Place your hands on your heads. Step back.” The police officer said
“She's dangerous.” The police officer said
“So am I,” I said lighting up my eyes and fist
“Requesting armed response officers to the scene.” The police officer said
“Hold on to me,” Thor said to Jane
“What are you doing?” Jane said
We are flying through the Bifrost.
“You're bringing her back?” I said
“Yes, the healers can help her,” Thor said
“Odin is not going to be happy about this,” I said
We land in Asgard.
“We have to do that again,” Jane said
“Hi,” Jane said to Heimdall
"Welcome to Asgard," Heimdal said to Jane
"We have to get her to the Healers," Thor said to Heimdall
Thor grabs Jane and flies down the Rainbow Bridge
"of course," I said standing next to Heimdall
I make a lightning rope and send it down the bridge and wrap it around the top of a building
“Alright, let’s see if this works,” I said
I pull as hard can and I go flying down the Rainbow Bridge. I land in the middle of the city. I walk over to the Healers. Jane is laying in the soul forge.“What's that?” Jane said
“Be still.” The healer told her
“It’s not of Earth. What is it?” Thor asked
“We do not know. But she will not survive the amount of energy surging through her.” A nurse said
“That's a quantum field generator, isn't it?” Jane said
“It's a soul forge,” I said
“Does a soul forge transfer molecular energy from one place to another?” Jane asked
“Yes.” A healer said
“Quantum field generator,” Jane said under her breath
Thor smiles.
“My words are mere noises to you that you ignore them completely?” Odin said to Thor
“She is ill,” Thor said
“She is mortal. Illness is their defining trait.” Odin said
“I brought her here because we can help her,” Thor said
“She does not belong here in Asgard any more than a goat belongs at a banquet table,” Odin said
I giggle.
“Damn,” I said
Who knew Odin had such sick burns
“Did he just... Who do you think you are'?” Jane said
“I am Odin, King of Asgard. Protector of the Nine Realms.” Odin said
“Oh. Well, I'm...” Jane said
“I know very well who you are, Jane Foster,” Odin said
“You told your dad about me'?” Jane asked Thor
“Something is within her, Father. Something I have not seen before.” Thor said
“Her world has its healers. They are called "doctors." Let them deal with it.” Odin said
“Guards, take her back to Midgard,” Odin said
“I wouldn’t do that,” I said trying to warn the guards not to touch Jane
Another explosion happens.
“Jane, are you all right'?” Thor said checking on Jane
“Yeah,” Jane said
“It's impossible,” Odin said walking over to Jane.
Odin runs his hand over Jane's arm and he sees what’s inside of her.
“The infection... It's defending her.” The Healer said
“No. It's defending itself.” Odin said
"Come with me, Runa this will be a great learning experience for you," Odin said
We walk into Odin’s great hall. There is a giant tree.
“There are relics that pre-date the universe itself. What lies within her appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn as they will have a dusk. But before that dawn, the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged.” Odin said flipping through a book
"Born of eternal night" the Dark Elves come to steal away the light." I know these stories. Mother told them to us as children.” Thor said
“Their leader Malekith made a weapon out of that darkness and it was called the Aether. While the other relics often appear as stones the Aether is fluid and everchanging. It changes matter into dark matter. It seeks out host bodies, drawing strength from their life-force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But, after eternities of bloodshed my father, Bor finally triumphed ushering in a peace that lasted thousands of years.” Odin said
“What happened?” I asked
“He killed them all,” Odin said smiling
I smile
“Are you certain? The Aether was said to have been destroyed with them, and yet here it is.” Thor said
“The Dark Elves are dead,” Odin said
“Does your book happen to mention how to get it out of me?” Jane said
“No. It does not.” Odin said walking away
I follow
“You said the other relics like this are in the form of stones. Is this Aether an Infinity stone.” I asked Odin
“Yes, I see you’ve learned plenty while you’ve been here,” Odin said
“And so is the Tesseract, right? The cube itself is just housing the stone.” I asked
“Yes, The Aether is the reality stone and the Tesseract is the space stone. There are six stones in total. They are the most powerful relics in the entire cosmos. Nothing can compare to the destruction they can bring.” Odin said
I stop walking and look back at Jane. Shit. This is going to throw a wrench in my plan. I walk down to the dungeon. I see Loki is upset laying down.
“What happened,” I asked
“Nothing. Are you here to free me, yet?” Loki said
“Well about that. We got a problem. Thor brought his girlfriend back to Asgard and it turns out she has an Infinity Stone inside of her. The Aether.” I said
“The Aether? I thought it was destroyed.” Loki said
“Well, it seems that Odin is not as truthful as to be believed,” I said
“You're just now learning that,” Loki said sarcastically
“I’m going to see if I could sneak into the vaults and steal the Tesseract tonight while everyone is worried about the Aether. Then well be home free.” I said
“Just don’t get caught, then we’ll both be in here for the next thousand years,” Loki said
I get up and I hear something unusual. Loki gets up.
“You hear that?” I asked
“Yea,” Loki said looking down the hall
I see an explosion of light and some guards being killed. This person broke out of their cage and is now breaking everyone else out. Prisoners are running everywhere.
“Look, It’s the princess. Oh boy, what I’d like to do to you.” The prisoners said running towards me.
“Try it,” I said pulling out my swords.
They charge me. I go through them like a hot knife through butter. I pause. The guy who is letting everyone out of there cells walks up to Loki. Maybe he’ll let Loki out. I watch as he walks up to the cell. He and Loki have a stare down, but he walks away without letting Loki out.
“You might want to take the stairs to the left” Loki said to the guy letting everyone out of the cells
More prisoners charge at me. I see Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg charge in and start fighting some prisoners. I put my swords away. I make a lightning rope and wrap it around a guy and swing him towards me and clothesline him. I make 5 different lighting rope and send them in different directions wrapping around 5 guys neck. I swing the rope up, lifting them off the ground and slamming them down. I see Thor land in the dungeon
. “Return to your cells and no further harm will come to you,” Thor said to the prisoners
They continue to fight. I grab one and throw him into the window of Loki’s cell and he folds up like an accordion. I see Loki sitting in his cell reading a book not even paying attention to what’s going on. Most of the prisoners are dead the few that remain return to their cells.
“Runa, what are you doing down here?” Thor asked
“I was in Odin’s great hall reading about the Aether, trying to figure out if there’s a way to get it out of Jane when I heard fighting so I ran down here to help,” I said
“She was here fighting when we got here,” Fandral said
“Very well, excellent job,” Thor said patting me on the shoulder
Once Thor walked past me I gave a smile to Loki who smiled back. Then the whole building shakes. Rocks are falling from the ceiling.
“Invasion. This was just a distraction. They’re coming for Jane.” I said
Thor and I take off running to the palace. Thor gets to the palace before me. I run in on the aftermath. Thor standing on the balcony. Jane standing in the hallway. Odin holding Frigga lifeless body.
“Holy fuck…” I whispered.
I look around and see Asgard in ruins. Our soldier defeated like it was nothing. We were never prepared for an attack. The bodies were picked up and prepared for a funeral later that night. All of Asgard is out in the streets to witness the funeral. We are at the water's edge as the ship containing Frigga’s body sets sail. Hundreds of other ships with the bodies of the fallen soldiers follow behind her. The archer sets fire to an arrow and fires it at her ship. It goes up in flames. Then seconds later hundreds of more arrows fly through the sky and light the other ships on fire. It is one of the most beautiful scenes I have ever witnessed. Frigga’s ship sails over the waterfall only to burst into a shimmer of light and to be lifted to the heavens. Many Asgardians have spheres of light they let go into the sky and they float like balloons. It was such a magically sight. Odin leaves to go strategize how to defeat the Dark Elves. I am sitting outside the palace doors. They are crumbled. I actually really liked Frigga. She genuinely cared about everyone. Me and Loki. I can tell Odin’s affection towards me was because of Frigga. Thor walks past me.
“Come with me, now,” Thor said
I get up and follow him into the palace to meet with Odin.
‘She's your prisoner now? Leave us.” Thor said to the other people in the room.
They all walk out
“I do not wish to fight with you,” Thor said to Odin about Jane
“Nor I with you,” Odin said
“But I intend to pursue Malekith,” Thor said
“We possess the Aether. Malekith will come to us.” Odin said
“Yes, and he will destroy us,” Thor said
“You overestimate the power of these creatures,” Odin said
“No, I value our people's lives. I'll take Jane to the Dark World, and draw the enemy away from Asgard. When Malekith pulls the Aether from Jane, it will be exposed and vulnerable. And I will destroy it and him.” Thor said
“If you fail, you risk this weapon falling into the hands of our enemies,” Odin said
“The risk is far greater if we do nothing. His ship could be over our heads right now, we would never even know it.” Thor said
“If and when he comes his men will fall on 10,000 Asgardian blades,” Odin said
“And how many of our men shall fall on theirs?” Thor said
“As many as are needed!” Odin said clutching his chest in pain
“We Will fight! Till the last Asgardian breath. Till the last drop of Asgardian blood.” Odin said
“Then how are you different from Malekith?” Thor said
Odin laughs
“The difference, my son, is that I will win,” Odin said
I like this new Odin or perhaps I should say the old Odin. I always loved the stories of the God of War, Odin. I can see that he is going back to his old ways now that Frigga is gone. Thor turns to me.
“I need your opinion,” Thor said to me
“Me?” I said shocked
“Yes. You may not think it, but I do value your opinion.” Thor said
“Well…Hypothetically speaking, If I were the ruler of Asgard, I would go fishing. Cast out the bait and wait for Malekith to bite. I would take the fight elsewhere, away from my people. To some type of even playing field and destroy him and the rest of the Dark Elves single handedly for the damage, they have caused us. For the loss of our people, for the loss of our pride, for Asgard.” I said
Thor smiles
“You would make a wise queen one day. Follow me.” Thor said
“What are we doing?” I asked
