The Trip
Chapter 1: The Trip
Asgard
May 1, 2012
Laughter filled the air, joyous and free, mixed with the sounds of splashing water and playful shrieks. The joy was broken by a gasp from the red-haired woman sitting at the edge of the lake where she had been watching her beloved and their daughter play.
“Mummy?” The little girl asked worriedly, looking at the young woman through large emerald green eyes. Her elbow-length jet-black hair was plastered against her back, still a perpetual disarray of curls despite being soaking wet and her fair skin sported the beginnings of a healthy tan from all the time she spent outdoors.
“My gazelle eyes?” The man asked, his own worry clearly visible in his striking blue eyes. Like his daughter, his golden hair was dripping wet, plastered against his head and shoulders though the layers were distinctly visible, the stubble beard along his jaw and neck just as wet.
“I saw Loki.” The woman said softly, her moonlit-silver eyes wide with sorrow and shock. Her long red hair was left loose, tumbling down her back and to her thighs in loose ringlets and a distinctive, pale silvery gold crescent moon clearly visible against her fair skin, between her eyebrows. Another curious thing about her appearance was the delicate pointed tip her ears curved into at the top. “It was nighttime, but I can’t be sure if it was a vision of the past, present or future.” She admitted.
“Daddy?” The little girl asked, turning to her father.
To her stunned disbelief, her father had the same look of sorrow and shock on his face that her mother did. Not liking either of the adult’s expressions, she began to cry in fear. The man swiftly lifted the girl into his arms and moved towards the shallow waters of the lake, running his large hand over the fearful child’s back comfortingly.
“It’s okay, darling. Mummy and Daddy will allow no harm to come to you.” He said soothingly. He turned to the woman, his eyes portraying his emotions. “We must inform Father of your vision.”
The woman nodded and gracefully rose to her feet, waving her hand at their scattered belongings. Instantly, the remnants of their picnic lunch were packed away into the basket along with the blanket they had sat and eaten on as were their clothes that they had removed when they decided to go for a swim.
The man grabbed a towel and bundled the little girl into it along with her blanket that was never far from her while the woman grabbed another towel and draped it over his bare shoulders. She then grabbed another towel and wrapped it around her own body, covering her bikini. Picking up the picnic basket and the deceptively small bag that contained their clothes, she stepped back a few paces and unfurled a pair of large, shimmering wings, mostly pure white in color but interspersed with silvery gold feathers. At the same time, the man picked up a hammer and swung it around in a fast circle before thrusting his fist towards the sky and shooting up into the air. The woman followed suit and within minutes, they were flying towards the Royal Palace of Valaskjalf that rose up from the middle of the magnificent city.
Normally, the flight would be passed with a stream of delighted childish laughter and babble but this time, there was nothing of the sort, only silence. The little girl in her father’s arms knew that something was wrong, very wrong for her parents to cut their outing short. It wasn’t the first time her mother had had a vision of the future; she had the gift of Foresight and was always getting them. But this was the first time a vision had caused her to react the way she had. And her father, her father was always so strong and mighty. He had never before displayed such worry the way he had at being told of what the vision was.
Something was going on, and Arianwen Lily Potter did not like it. Not one bit.
~*~
May 3 , 2012
Lyssa and Thor flew through the dark skies above Earth, thunder crashing and lightning streaking around them. Both were in their battle armor, Thor’s consisting of a sleeveless black top covered with silver plates and blue trousers tucked into detailed, black, knee-high boots. He wore a pair of red wristbands covered with silver arm bracers and had a bright red cape flowing down his back, attached to his shoulders. His long golden hair was open, billowing around his face and shoulders freely. Lyssa’s armor consisted of a long white dress that flowed past her feet with an empire skirt, the bottom embroidered with delicate light gold patterns and the bodice was covered with light gold overlay. The shoulder straps flared outwards about an inch and the sleeves were fitted to her wrists, made from delicate yet strong chainmail*, while on her feet were a pair of 4” white, high-heeled boots coming up to just below her knees*. The front of her long red hair was pinned back, away from her face while the rest was left loose, billowing freely around her shoulders and down her back just as Thor’s was while proudly showing off her pointed ears. Her hair was held in place by a light gold crown that had a white diamond in the center with an additional piece hanging down against her forehead, directly above the crescent moon mark between her eyebrows*.
It had been two days since Lyssa had her vision of Loki and it had taken that long for Odin to amass enough dark energy for the couple to transport to Earth. Without the Bifrost to transport them, they had to rely on other, far more dangerous means. As it was, it had taken a combination of Odin using dark energy to guide the couple while Lyssa apparated herself and Thor off of Asgard.
In the distance, above the mountainous terrain, the SHIELD Quinjet they were heading towards was barely visible as a tiny grey spec against the lightning- and thunder-streaked night sky. Thor and Lyssa exchanged looks, both unfazed by the rumbling thunder, and nodded, angling down towards the jet. They landed on the roof of the craft, both on a knee to maintain their balance while in flight.
“Be careful.” Lyssa said, pitching her voice to be heard over the thunder. “There are four inside with Loki, two piloting while the other two are preparing to counter our arrival.”
Thor nodded silently, rising to his feet with a measure of grace that belied his large frame. Lyssa followed suit with the same graceful movements, both of them easily walking towards the rear hatch of the jet. The hatch opened, he and Lyssa dropping down onto it and landing gracefully in mirrored crouches, the redhead retracting her wings at the same time.
Straightening up, Thor’s gaze went to his brother, who looked at the pair with wide-eyed shock and nervousness. Lyssa on the other hand focused her attention on the man directly in front of her, clad in a suit of metal whom she knew to be worn by Tony Stark, dubbed by the media and public as ‘Iron Man’. He made to move towards them, and Lyssa reacted by thrusting her hand out at him, a silent and wandless spell sending him flying backwards. He crashed into the other man behind him, whom she recognized from the history books as ‘Captain America’.
Thor grabbed Loki, the Trickster staring at Lyssa in complete and utter shock, his eyes on her pointed ears in particular. The golden-haired Thunderer ripped his brother from his restraints as though they were made of paper, gripping him tightly with a glare on his face as he stalked back out of the jet, flying off into the darkness. Lyssa glanced at Iron Man and Captain America, seeing them slowly pull extract themselves from each other and pull themselves up. Satisfied that she hadn’t hurt them in any way, she followed Thor out into the night sky, unfurling her wings as she soared through the darkness.
Lyssa caught up with the brothers just as Thor landed on a mountain, unceremoniously dropping Loki onto the rocky surface. Loki groaned, skidding slightly from the force with which he was dropped, the sound turning to a dry laugh. Lyssa landed beside Thor, retracting her wings as she looked at the prince who had tried to kill her, her friends and thousands of innocent Jotuns the previous year.
“Where is the Tesseract?” Thor asked without preamble.
“I missed you, too.” Loki said through his laughter.
“Do I look to be in a gaming mood?” Thor roared angrily, his grip in Mjølnir tightening.
Lyssa put her hand on his arm, calming him with her touch. “Loki, please.” She said softly. “Tell us where the Tesseract is.”
Loki looked up at her from where he lay on the ground, something in Lyssa’s voice striking a memory. “Gazelle-eyed sister.” He breathed softly, his green eyes filled with sorrow and anguish.
“It’s me, Loki.” Lyssa said through trembling lips, her moonlit silver eyes filled with sorrow. She glowled gently, as though the moon was shining just beneath her skin, enhancing her already ethereal and otherworldly features.
Loki’s expression hardened minutely, all traces of his sorrow and anguish gone. “You should thank me, the both of you.” He said, sitting up and leaning against the mountainside. “With the Bifrost gone, how much dark energy did the Allfather have to muster to conjure you here to your precious Earth?” He looked from Thor to Lyssa. “Or did you have to use your mortal magic in conjunction with the dark energy?”
Before Lyssa could respond, Thor growled. He dropped Mjølnir to the ground and stalked towards Loki, grabbing him and hauling him up to his feet. Thor cupped Loki’s neck, looking at the slightly shorter man with sorrow and grief. “I thought you dead.” Thor said softly.
Loki looked at him, brilliant blue meeting pale blue. “Did you mourn?” Loki asked with a slight sneer.
“We all did.” Thor told him honestly. “Our father-”
Loki held his finger up between them, cutting Thor off. “ Your father.” Loki corrected. He pushed Thor’s hand off of him, shooting the older man a dark glare. “He did tell you both my true parentage, did he not?” Loki asked, walking away from Thor, looking between him and Lyssa.
“You were both raised together.” Lyssa said tearfully, watching Loki as he walked past her. “You both played together. You both fought together. We all did.” She said sadly. “Do you remember none of those years?” She asked, her eyes swimming with unshed tears.
Loki stopped and turned around, looking between Lyssa and Thor. The Trickster’s pale blue eyes glittered under the moonlit sky. “I remember a shadow.” Loki said quietly. “Living in the shade of Thor’s greatness.” He said. His expression became hard and cold. “I remember you both tossing me into an abyss.” He hissed coldly. Lyssa frowned at his words, knowing that the events had not played out in such a way. “I, who was, and should be, king!” He roared.
“So you take the world I love, the world Gazelle-Eyes was reborn into, as a recompense for your imagined slights?” Thor asked angrily. “No.” Thor declared firmly, walking towards his brother. “The Earth is under my protection, Loki.” Thor warned him.
“ Both of ours.” Lyssa corrected firmly.
Loki laughed, looking between the pair. “And you’re doing a marvelous job with that.” He said sarcastically. “The humans slaughter each other in droves while you idly fret.”
“He’s got a point.” Lyssa admitted reluctantly, vividly remembering the time she had witnessed Voldemort’s reign over Wizarding Britain.
“I mean to rule them, as why should I not?” Loki asked passionately.
“You think yourself above them.” Lyssa said quietly, piercing Loki with a penetrating gaze.
“Well, yes.” Loki replied with a shrug, as though it were obvious.
“Then you miss the truth of ruling, brother.” Thor said gently. “A throne would suit you ill.”
Loki growled, pushing past Thor. Above them, Hugin and Munin squawked, flying within earshot of the conversing brothers. They had been ordered by Odin to keep an eye on Thor, Loki and Lyssa, more so the brothers than the redhead.
Loki walked towards the edge of the mountain. “I’ve seen worlds you’ve never known about!” Loki exclaimed. “I have grown, Odinson , in my exile.” Loki said, sneering at Thor who followed him towards the mountain edge. “I have seen the true power of the Tesseract, and when I wield it…”
“Who showed you this power?” Lyssa asked worriedly, inadvertently cutting Loki off.
“Who controls the would-be king?” Thor asked, just as worried.
Loki didn’t notice the concern, only hearing the words he perceived as insults. “I am a king!” He roared.
“Not here!” Thor shouted back, losing his already frayed temper completely. Lyssa sighed, but didn’t intervene, watching as Thor grabbed Loki by the forearms, shaking him. “You give up the Tesseract! You give up this poisonous dream!” Thor shouted desperately; his heart filled with fear for his brother at the uncharacteristic behavior. He breathed heavily, cupping Loki’s face gently. “You come home.” He pleaded.
Loki looked at Thor. For a brief moment, his eyes were green and filled with hope before it faded, being replaced by pale blue, glittering coldly. Loki chuckled lightly. “I don’t have it.” He said quietly, grinning coldly at the despair that crossed Thor’s face, watching as it morphed into anger. Thor summoned Mjølnir to him, gripping the handle tightly. “You both need the cube to bring me home.” Loki said calmly, unfazed by his older brother’s anger. “My gazelle-eyed sister cannot transport us safely through the Cosmos without it and she knows not how to channel dark energy like the Allfather. But I’ve sent it off, I know not where.” He said, shrugging unconcernedly.
Thor raised Mjølnir, pointing it at Loki. “You listen well, brother.” Thor said firmly.
Before he could continue, a flying figure clad in red and gold metal plowed into him. Thor grunted as he was forcibly taken off the mountain, Lyssa wincing sympathetically.
“I’m listening.” Loki said dryly.
“Loki.” Lyssa said exasperatedly, joining him at the edge of the mountain. She sat down, her legs dangling off the side
Loki turned and settled down beside her, sprawling on his side and watching as Thor and his attacker, none other than Iron Man, landed in the forest down below. Thor rose to his feet with a groan, glaring at Iron Man who raised his visor, revealing his sharp, aristocratic and handsome features.
“Do not touch me again.” Thor growled, glaring at the human.
“Then don’t take my stuff.” Iron Man retorted.
“You have no idea what you’re dealing with.” Thor warned him.
“Uh, Shakespeare in the park?” Iron Man asked sarcastically, glancing around at their woodland surroundings. “Doth Mother know you wear-eth her drapes?” He asked dramatically.
Lyssa let out a short burst of laughter, the musical sound echoing off the mountain. Beside her, Loki snickered as well, both of them earning a dark glare from Thor. Lyssa just grinned at him, giggling under her breath.
Thor rolled his eyes, turning back to Iron Man. “This is beyond you, metal man.” The fair-haired prince warned him. “Loki will face Asgardian justice.”
Both Lyssa and Loki became serious, watching and listening to the interaction down below.
“He gives up the Cube, he’s all yours.” Iron Man said firmly. “Until then,” his visor slipped back into place over his face. “Stay out of the way.” Thor took a breath, struggling to remain calm. “Tourist.” Iron Man muttered.
Thor growled and hurled Mjølnir at Iron Man. The human grunted as he was thrown back several feet, crashing through a few trees before landing on the ground on his back. Thor stalked towards him, swinging Mjølnir by the wrist-strap around his middle finger. Iron Man fired a burst of energy at Thor, the unexpected blow sending him flying backwards. He managed to regain his footing but before he could retaliate, Iron Man kicked him in the chest, sending him flying through the tree.
“This is becoming quite interesting.” Loki commented with a grin, watching as Thor lost his grip on Mjølnir. Thor managed to regain his balance and land on one knee, glaring up at Iron Man.
“I’m so pleased you find this amusing.” Lyssa snapped, wringing her fingers in worry. She knew what Iron Man was capable of, having seen the news footage of his debut fight against Obadiah Stane. She also knew that Thor didn’t know what the armored man was capable of, thinking him to be an ordinary mortal. Her eyes widened in alarm as Thor summoned Mjølnir to him and thrust it into the air, calling down a surge of thunder and lightning. “Oh, no, no, no, no, no.” Lyssa said frantically, knowing what Thor was about to do. “Bad idea! Bad idea!” She cried.
Thor didn’t seem to hear her, directing the electrical current at Iron Man. The human grunted as he was hit with the full blast, groaning at the force of the current. Thor canceled the stream and lowered Mjølnir, his eyes widening in shock at finding Iron man still standing.
“Honey, you just gave him a power boost!” Lyssa cried exasperatedly, wringing her hands nervously.
Sure enough, when Iron Man fired another pulse at Thor, it sent the prince flying backwards several feet, the charge much more powerful than the previous one. He managed to land on his feet, though it took a second to shake off the effects of the attack. Thor aimed Mjølnir at Iron Man, who was charging towards him, and grunted when the human grabbed him and lifted him into the air. They flew through the treetops, crashing into the mountainside.
Lyssa winced as the pair traded blow for blow, each pressing the other against the mountain rock as they flew upwards against the side.
“So, how long have you known?” Loki asked conversationally, drawing the redhead’s attention. She looked at him, her head cocked to the side in confusion. “About…” He trailed off, gesturing towards her pointed ears and lightly glowing figure in explanation.
“A few months.” Lyssa replied honestly. “Not long after we lost you, or thought we did rather, I began noticing the physical changes as well as the increase in my magic.”
“Do you remember?” He asked curiously.
“Not everything. Bits and pieces, really.” Lyssa replied honestly. “It’s mostly feelings and sensations, but I was told that it’s normal. That it happened like that each time.”
“It did.” Loki confirmed, nodding.
Thor and Iron Man flew back into the woods, crashing through the trees and creating a wide clearing that they landed in. They continued trading blow for blow, the sky occasionally lighting up whenever Iron Man used his weapons, Thor having learned that his powers only gave his opponent a boost.
Lyssa winced sympathetically, seeing Thor receive a punch to the jaw. “You stay here.” She told Loki firmly, getting to her feet. She waved her hand at him, conjuring ropes and tying him in place, earning an exasperated look from the Trickster. “Don’t give me that look.” She said, stepping away from him. She unfurled her wings and launched herself off the mountain side, flying towards the clearing where Thor and Iron Man were fighting.
“Hey!” Captain America called, sending his shield flying between Thor and Iron Man. He successfully managed to stop their fight and drew their attention to him, standing on an overturned tree trunk several feet above them.
“That’s enough.” Lyssa said firmly, using the same voice she used on Aria when wanting the toddler to obey immediately. Lyssa gracefully landed a few feet away from Thor, her unfurled wings fluttering gently behind her and glowing lightly under the moonlight just as she did.
Captain America returned his shield to the straps on his arm before leaping off the trunk, landing with a quiet thud between Lyssa and Iron Man. “Now, I don’t know what either of you plan on doing here.” Captain America admitted, looking between Lyssa and Thor. To his credit, he didn’t seem particularly fazed by Lyssa’s wings, glowing skin or pointed ears, though it could, in all fairness, be that he was quite good at hiding it.
“We have come here to put an end to Loki’s schemes.” Thor declared strongly.
“And take him home.” Lyssa added.
“Then prove it.” Captain America challenged, looking at Thor in particular. “Put that hammer down.”
“Uh, yeah… No.” Iron Man said. “Bad call. He loves his hammer.”
Thor backhanded him with Mjølnir, sending him flying backwards several feet. “You want me to put the hammer down?” Thor roared as Iron Man landed several feet away with a groan.
“Thor!” Lyssa cried exasperatedly. She hurried to Iron Man, helping the man sit up while Thor launched himself at Captain America, Mjølnir raised high. Seeing Thor’s action out of the corner of her eye and Captain America raising his shield protectively, she whipped around frantically. “No, Thor!” She cried.
She was too late. Mjølnir struck the shield and created a powerful shockwave that rippled through the forest. It leveled the surrounding area for hundreds of yards and sent all four of them flying backwards.
“Gazelle Eyes!” Thor shouted frantically through the slowly clearing dust cloud.
Lyssa sat up, coughing slightly. “I’m here!” She called. “Blimey, that hurt.” She muttered with a groan. Thor ran to her, helping her to her feet and checking her over for injuries. She glared up at him, whacking him in the arm. “You idiot!” She exclaimed angrily, the feathers on her wings ruffling behind her. “How many times do I have to tell you not to go around whacking Mjølnir without knowing what it is you’re striking?!” She asked furiously. “Uru and Vibranium are two very powerful metals and that is without taking into account the magic fused into Mjølnir.” She told him firmly. She became thoughtful, looking between the Captain’s shield and Mjølnir. “Although…” she said slowly, trailing off.
“No.” Thor said adamantly. “You only just said it was a dangerous thing to do!” He exclaimed exasperatedly.
“In an uncontrolled environment, yes, it is very dangerous.” Lyssa agreed.
Captain America exchanged looks with Iron Man, whose visor was lifted up to reveal his face. Both were on their feet and groaning from the backlash of the shockwave.
“Do you know what they’re talking about?” Captain America asked in confusion.
“I’m pretty sure she’s trying to convince him that experimenting with his hammer and your shield would be a good thing.” Iron Man replied. “And I think she might be onto something with her idea.” He admitted thoughtfully.
Captain America looked incredulous, his gaze going from the still conversing couple to the leveled forest around them to the billionaire genius beside him. “Are you nuts?!” Captain America asked incredulously, his voice becoming an octave higher. “After what just happened, that’s never gonna happen!” He cried adamantly. His voice drew Lyssa and Thor’s attention, both halting their conversation to look at him. “Now are we done here?” Captain America asked, rubbing his side and wincing.
Thor and Lyssa exchanged looks and turned back to him. They both nodded, deciding to join forces with the humans to put a stop to Loki’s schemes. They both knew they were going to need help, especially because of what Lyssa had seen the previous day, about Loki’s army.
Links:
*Lyssa’s battle suit (pale silvery gold accents; crescent moon on the chest) - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/474566879488029924/
*Lyssa shoes (white) - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/474566879481165331/
*Lyssa’s hairstyle and crown - https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/808325833095381757/