The Girl Who Held the Universe in her Hands | marvel [1] ✔

ELEVEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN
' DO I HAVE
A CHOICE ? '

Ash stood with the Avengers in Central Park, the wind brushing through her hair and lifting it from her neck. As she shifted, she tucked a curl behind her ear, revealing a temporary eyepatch covering her eye. A plastic shell sat over it, taped into place by surgical tape but prevented light from reaching it. A fresh cut stretched past the covering, stitched closed with dark fabric, contrasting with the red and angry glare of the wound. Part of her was embarrassed by it, but part of her also recognised how badass she looked or would look once healed.

Her gaze landed on Loki, the culprit of her wound and the destruction of New York, who now stood handcuffed and muzzled. The side of her lips pulled into a frown before she made her way towards him. "Part of me wants to pity you because I know he put you through. I know what it's like to want to please him and make him proud of you. I was no better than you, Loki. Maybe I'm still as bad as you, but I want to change, reverse, I guess, the pain I caused. But the other part absolutely despises you. You represent the one thing I hate most in this world, and I can't look at you without associating Thanos." A sigh escaped her, eye flickering up. "Oh, shit, I was waiting for you to reply, but I forgot they muzzled you."

"Lady Astrid." Thor placed a hand on her shoulder, and Ash turned to face him.

"Mr Thor." A frown formed on his face. "That will be your name if you keep calling me that."

"I believe we can compromise. However, that is not what I came to speak to you about."

Ash's eyebrows furrowed as Thor used his hand to guide her away from the group. "Oh?"

"You may have taken advantage of Midguardian foolishness, but stories of the Reaper's campaign have reached even Asgard." Thor's words caused Ash to take a step back, chin lifting and eye narrowing. "I know more about you than you think."

"Are you threatening me?" she asked, voice even but quiet, black flickering in her iris.

"It depends on how you would understand my next words. Midgard is a clever place to lay low, given the desire of your arrest in other places of the universe. However, you are foolish. This ability of yours is dangerous to most, but choosing to live amongst humans? They are fragile and naïve, and as someone who has their interests at heart, you cannot stay here."

"And why is it you who gets to decide where I should stay?"

"Because I am one of the only entities who can hold a fair fight against you," he paused, twirling his hammer in his grip. "And my kingdom is a place where you are above bounties and a lifetime in prison."

"Why are you speaking in riddles?" Ash's temper was teetering on snapping, fists clenching.

"Then I will give you a simple ultimatum: come to Asgard with me, or I will turn you into the Nova Corps."

"What does Asgard want with me?"

"It is very simple. My father is getting old, he is no longer fit to fight wars, and my brother is to be imprisoned. I require someone to help me in battle. In trade for your help, my mother will give you her knowledge and help you master your abilities."

"You... want me... to help you... kill people, if not you'll incarcerate me for... killing people?"

Thor stared at her for a moment. "Precisely."

"And I don't have a choice?"

"No."

Ash sighed, gaze falling to the ground. "Thor, I came here to escape everything. If I enjoyed killing, don't you think I would have stayed?"

"That is out of the matter. We must pay for the things we've done, whether we regret them or not. You killed innocent people who would much rather have lived. Do you not see? It isn't much fair for you to live a life you wanted when theirs was cut so short."

Her jaw snapped shut, a sharp breath escaping through her nose. "Can I say goodbye first?"

Thor carefully watched her, seeming to think over her request. "I will return to this spot tomorrow at dawn. If you are not there, I will assume our deal is off. What happens from then on..."

Ash barely contained her heavy breathing, anger burning in her stomach before she turned away. She didn't spare any of the Avengers a second look, hands shoving themselves into her pockets, and it took all the effort in her not to turn around and show Thor the real Reaper.