Aether, the Reality Stone
Asgard’s Market
Morning around 9AM
Time difference unknown between Midgard and Asgard
They have been walking for almost an hour time. Jane was happy chatting away with Loki about the science behind the children’s toys. Loki was better at explaining the magic behind these simple things in Asgardian life. Jealousy was the last thing he had on his mind when he looked at his two favorite scholars.
As much as he felt fondness of their shared-love over their discussion, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling famished. His brother always said that his stomach was like the void under the Bifröst. It seemed he was right.
The two of them were so in their own world of discussion that he was able to escape their line of sight to look over some of the food stalls around. He came back later on with a bag of bread and pastries ranging from sweet to savory.
“Loki, I bought your favorite, sweet buns, “ Thor bought some from his favorite stall.
The baker who owned the stall sold many sweet pastries and breads, but he also sold some savory ones. His stall was famous for selling its savory wares. Even if his sweet flour based-goods were not as famous as his savory, it was the only stall that sold Loki’s favorite sweet custard filling sweet bun.
“You oaf, “ Loki sneered, but not too harshly. “We just broke our fast this morn.”
“Wow, Asgard delicacy, “ his sweet Jane said, intrigued at seeing the food he bought.
“For you lady Jane, “ Thor looked around inside the bag and took out one of the savory pastry. The filling inside was chopped Asgard pheasant cooked with spices and one of the stall’s talked-about pastries. “This is Asgard traditional pastry and my favorite.”
“Thanks Thor, “ she accepted the flaky golden pastry with an interested and thankful look. She took a bite and gave him a surprised look. “This is really good.”
Happy that he had chosen well for his lady love, he looked at Loki. “Sweet buns?”
The God Of Mischief took the bag of sweet buns from Thor with a huff. “You truly do have a bottomless pit for a stomach, brother. You could rival Volstagg in that part.”
Thor grinned. His brother might not say much words of thank you, but it was enough for the blonde-haired God that he accepted his gift of food. “Volstagg would be more likely to be victorious in that competition, brother.”
“That would be tru…”
Before he could finish his speech, suddenly the alarm was being sounded. Asgard is under attack. Without much being said, Loki took Thor and Jane by the arm and teleported to Loki’s room.
“Thor, “ Loki said in a command.
Nodded, he dropped the bag of food and immediately summoned his battle armors with Mjolnir ready in his hand. Looking quite fierce and ready for battle, he began to look worried when his eyes caught sight of Jane.
“Lady Jane, you should stay in this room, “ Loki suggested, he was already adorned with his own armor. Long knives ready in both hands. “I shall enchant this room from danger and hostile person.”
His little brother began chanting and a glimmer of green magic surged forward from him to every direction of his chamber. “This magic would only allow myself and Thor to enter.”
The God of Thunder pulled his girlfriend into his embrace. He gave a quick peck to her cheek. “My apology, Lady Jane. Your first visit to Asgard wasn’t meant to be interrupted. I will go outside with Loki and drive out our enemies.”
She dislodged herself from him to look at his face and put her palm on his cheek. “I’ll wait here. Just be careful and come back safely.”
He turned his face slightly to kiss her palm before turning around towards his brother. Loki had just talked to their mother with a hand mirror and looked stiffened as he ended the call. These days, Loki always had that look on his face every time he talked to their parents.
“Mother is fine in her chamber. She informed me that Asgard has been invaded by the chitauri and two of Thanos’ children. They introduced themselves as Proxima and Corvus before they began the attack. They seemed to have come from one of the hidden portal from Midgard. They came stealthily and found a way to shroud themselves from Heimdall’s eyes before the glamour worn out. Father with all the warriors were last seen fighting them near the vault.”
Thor gave him a quick nod before going to the door. He heard the second prince bid farewell to his lady Jane before they both went out of the door. The war mage spelled the door to hold up against all attacks while at the same time, Thor began to fight against the monster warriors running from the hall in front of Loki’s chamber. He saw some Asgardian soldiers came from the end of the hallway to join the fight.
The sound of sword-clanging could be heard all round. He kept hitting mjölnir towards the monsters. Then he was surrounded by 5 of them, so the God of thunder used the crackle of thunder to electrify them.
Before another batch came to attack him, a surge of ice froze them. Loki came from behind him and with a slash of his long knife, the ice cracked and destroyed into millions of pieces. Around them, the fight was over and only a few of the soldiers still stood. They were not without a scratch on them but they seemed happy for the current victory.
“You need to go to the vault, Thor. I know the quickest way to go there, “ Loki informed him, but when he saw all eyes were aimed at Thor, he began to look resigned before wiping the expression cleaned off his face.
“Or, what’s the battle plan, o’ mighty Thor?” His brother asked flatly, not a hint of sarcasm. There was an indescribable look on his face but his eyes looked resigned. That was not a look he wanted on his brother’s face for their first battle to save Asgard after his supposed death and Thor’s banishment.
Being banished to Midgard for almost half a year has taught Thor the meaning of behind humble. Action without planning things through was considered unwise. As a leader, he needed to delegate and in this unknown situation, what he needed is Loki, his brother and the God he wanted to stand by his right side. His future trusted advisor.
“You knew the castle better than anyone. I trust you to lead the way, brother, “ he watched the slight surprise look on his brother’s face.
Behind a good leader, there’s always an even better advisor. One who loved his realm and people. A born shield.
“You’ve changed brother, “ Loki said quietly with a hint of a smile. “Your time in banishment did you justice.”
If Loki was Asgard’s shield, Thor was Asgard’s warrior. With Loki by his side, Thor believed by working together, they’re going to be able to protect their realm and people and family equally. Their realm would flourish with both of them together in it.
And, Thor especially, would not let his brother down or fall ever again. He would protect his shield.
***
Heimdall was protecting the king’s back when they arrived in time to help his father’s side. They managed to push the chitauri back, but the male grey being, Colvus managed to hurt their father and slip through the vault followed by the other grey alien.
Heimdall held Odin and looked over his wound. Before he or Loki could come to the All-father’s aid, he stopped them with a hand. With a cough, he ordered them, “Protect the aether.”
They have won the battle so far, so immediately the sons of Odin ran inside the vault to stop their enemies. Before the mad Titan’s children reached the Aether at the end of the vault, Loki enchanted them with ice.
Before the ice could reach over their middle, they destroyed it. It gave Loki and Thor enough time to clash weapons with them. The older Prince shot lightning from his hammer to Thanos’ son. He was able to stand on par against his god power.
The blonde God didn’t have time to observe his brother’s fight with his attention fully on his own foe. Thor was frustrated at the fight when he was suddenly hit by a beam of blue light and pushed against the pillar.
He opened his eyes to a portal that appeared just behind the aether. A being in cloak with a scepter in his hand was standing in front of the portal. Corvus stood up to take the aether in his hands.
Another beam of energy shot Loki in the chest and he faltered a bit but enough for Proxima to defeat him. They could only watch as Thanos’ children took the aether away.
“I have enjoyed the battle Asgardian, “ Corvus said as the female, Proxima laughed.
Their comrade, the one with the scepter hissed. “Go back to Lord Thanos immediately with the aether.”
Corvus and Proxima were already gone inside the portal with the aether. But before the last of Thanos ally could follow through, Thor threw mjölnir at him as Loki sent fire at the same time.
They could hear his scream of agony. Mjölnir held him on the floor with a thud.
As the portal shrunk, their enemy managed to throw his scepter back into the portal.
“No!” Loki shouted as the portal disappeared.
Thor stood carefully, holding his painful middle and dragged himself towards their prisoner. Loki walked carefully as well since his leg was a bit limping. Thank Odin their ailment could be healed in no time with some healing stones.
“Thor, that scepter has similar energy to the aether, “ Loki informed him.
“You will not be able to stop Lord Thanos, “ the prisoner laughed. “My master has 4 infinity stones collected. It’s only a matter of time until all 6 stones gathered in his hand and he will be able to present his lady Death with more sacrifices.”
They both looked at each other worriedly, but the expression on Loki’s face turned calmer just as soon.
“So the aether and that scepter hold the infinity stones?” The God of mischief asked slyly.
“Loki, do you know something?”
He shrugged but smiled mischievously. “I think I know the location of one of the last two.”
“You can’t stop my master!” The grey alien shouted in anger. “He will rule the universe with them and nobody can stop him!”
“I can think of someone powerful enough to stop the mad Titan, “ his brother smirked. “And he live in Midgard.”
“There is no one more greater than my master. He is…”
Loki snapped his fingers and the servant of Thanos’ lips were glued together. The only voice could be heard from him was the sound of him screaming inside his mouth. Probably more profanities and threats.
The heir to the throne was perplexed though. Who did his brother encountered with in Midgard that could rival the titan in power?
Looking puzzled, Thor said, “ Even our father is wary of the Destroyer of the World, brother. Who would be mad and strong enough to vanquish the Mad Titan? And a Midgardian at that?”
“You know him Thor, “ he looked at him with a funny look on his face. “He is the owner of one of the infinity stones and the greatest Midgardian Mage I’ve the pleasure to get to know.”
“Harry, son of Potter?” Thor looked shocked. He didn’t know the healer very well, but he did feel a tremendous amount of magic in the mortal. “I think we need to inform Father immediately. About the stones and Healer Potter.”
“I agree, “ Loki casted a spell to put their prisoner to sleep so that Thor could take mjölnir up. “Guards take him to the dungeon.”
A few of the soldiers came in to take the prisoner away.
“We should go with a hundred of our soldiers to protect son of Potter and the stone, “ he said. “If Thanos’ army has infiltrated Midgard, father would need time to send more soldiers to help us fight. We will be the first line of defense, brother.”
He could see a new expression marring his brother’s face. It was a look of pride and he smiled a little.”Four seasons ago I believed you were not ready to be king.”
“And now?”
“You are worthy of my trust. You have my knives, magic, mind and loyalty, “ he tilted his head in respect towards Thor.
The God of thunder couldn’t stop himself from grinning. His brother’s trust was more than he could have dreamt of at this moment. Now he needed to convince his father they needed to gather their troops to stop Thanos. But with Loki’s silver tongue, it would not be difficult at all.
Loki put his knives in his sheaths and looked at his brother seriously. "After we talk to father, we shall depart for New York."
***