The Kind & The Cruel

Chapter 12

Vanaheim was everything Loki said it was. Quill had landed the Milano in front of a beautiful lake surrounded by trees and alight with fireflies every night. We had been here for 6 days and I was currently sitting on the dock, looking out at the golden sunrise. There were a couple of emerald-colored birds flying towards the lake. They landed and swam in the lake for a little bit.

I suddenly felt a familiar presence next to me.

"Hello, Heimdall," I said. The protector had checked in on me a couple of times since Loki's death. It was always comforting, knowing I still had someone who wasn't going to tell me to 'get over it'. Well, someone other than Groot and Drax.

"Hello, Lady Y/N. I...need your help." I turned to him now, my full attention on him. "Ever since Prince Loki died, Prince Thor has been running around the nine realms, protecting them. He hasn't taken a break. I need you to bring him back to Asgard. I sense something...off. I'm not sure what, and I can't exactly see it, but I know I need you two to work together to fix it."

"O-Okay. I'll tell my friends," I said shakily. Heimdall thanked me before disappearing again.

I'm going back to Asgard.

I hadn't been back since Loki died. I felt bad because I hadn't seen Thor since then, either. I stood up shakily and started walking back to the ship.

"Hey, Navy!" Rocket said as he handed me an omelet.

"Hi, Rock. And everyone else." Quill snorted.

"Guess we know who the favorite is!"

"It's Groot," I said. Groot gave me a high five. Rocket looked offended and Quill was laughing his ass off. Gamora hit him over the head and he stopped, glaring at her. She ignored him. "So....I have to leave."

"Again?!" Rocket cried.

"You just left!" Quill shouted. I nodded sadly.

"I know, I know, but I have to leave! I don't want to, but I need to help a friend and possibly save Asgard." They all went silent.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to return to Asgard after everything?" Gamora asked. I sighed.

"I don't know. Probably not, but I want to help. I need to help. After how I ruined everything during the fight last week." They all nodded. 

"Okay, go," Rocket said. "We won't like it, but we won't stop you."

"I understand the need to save those you love," Drax said. "If I could have saved my wife and daughter, I would've." I nodded sadly.

"I'm sorry you lost them."

"I'm sorry you lost your boyfriend." I smiled at him before going to get my stuff.

An hour later, I stood outside with everyone as they hugged me goodbye. I then opened a portal to Thor's location.

As soon as I stepped out of the portal, I was confused. The place was dark, with jagged rocks, lava, and bats everywhere. I looked around and saw a huge throne with what appeared to be a giant man made of lava sitting upon it with horns and a huge eyebrow. 

I watched as he muttered to himself, changing position on his throne. 

"No, that isn't right," he muttered as he uncrossed his legs. He sat normally, with his hands resting on the armrests, a regal look on his face. He then frowned and bent over, his elbow resting on his knee and his hand on his chin. "I need to look in control. I have captured him, so I have the power here." He then leaned against one of the armrests, his hands on either side of him and legs resting against the chair. I tried not to laugh at how much his current position reminded me of a material girl. He smiled. "That's it. This is the one."