The Eternal Valkyrie: War of the Realms (HTTYD fic)

Part 30

Chapter 29

"Will you put me down!" Loki shouted, embarrassed, that he was being lifted so easily. "I am a Prince! Not a sack of potatoes!"

Meanwhile, in Times Square, the clouds were coalescing into a funnel. Icy cold air gathered and suddenly slammed down on the area causing the people walking there to be blown away. Shouts of surprise and terror filled the open area as the funnel stayed in place and snow began to fall. When it finally dissipated the New Yorkers could see a white-haired woman dressed in silvery battle armor standing in the only place that had not filled with snow. Many shivered at the sudden temperature drop and watched with trepidation as the woman observed them.

'Ve and Vili had trouble with this lot of ants?' Ymir observed the trembling masses. "KNEEL!" She shouted and her voice reverberated through the crowd. The humans, who were already wary and fearful, did as they were told. No one knew what this woman wanted but one thing was clear, she radiated power. The masses slowly descended upon their knees and looked at Ymir with fear.

"Much better," Ymir spoke and conjured up a throne in the middle of the square. "This is how the natural order of things should be." With a smirk Ymir amplified her voice and let the icy wind carry it. "Hear me Jothun among Midgardians. If you care about these people here at all show yourself to me or I shall kill one every half hour."

Sigyn, with Loki still over her shoulders, had left the house when they heard Ymir's amplified voice.

"What is going on there?!" Dagur asked in confusion as the group saw the dark clouds gathered over the skyline.

"She's here. Or most likely another Afterimage." Sigyn stated. "We need to hurry and get out of Midgard."

"Wait!" Loki shouted. "We can't just leave! Didn't you hear what she announced?!"

"She could kill the whole of New York if Loki doesn't appear." Hiccup muttered.

"She could kill more than the Nine Realms if he does!" Sigyn shot back. "I know that you want to save your people but we'd be walking right into her trap!"

"One of the reasons we volunteered for these missions is because Odin agreed to safeguard Earth!" Snotlout spoke up. "I might not be the brightest but letting a whole county of humans die because we need an escape is a big no no!"

"What do you suggest we do then?" Sigyn shot back. "We can't just walk into her trap."

"Actually I think we should do just that," Loki spoke up as the group gave him confused looks. "Hear me out here, I might have a plan, but first can you put me down!"

Back at Times Square, Ymir was getting bored. She was flicking snowflakes in the air and conjuring up snow bunnies to pass the time. The people who were still stuck there and not allowed off their knees were watching her with confusion, wonder, fear and suspicion. The snow was falling gently now as she mumbled "Time's almost up. Who to kill first?" The people directly in front of her became quite nervous.

"Ymir!" Was suddenly shouted and the woman looked up in the direction of the voice. A nervous energy was flowing through the hostages as they too tried to take a peek. Coming towards the icy throne was Sigyn and Loki, followed closely by Astrid, Snotlout and Dagur.

"Well well well. Isn't this a surprise." Ymir smirked as her red pupils narrowed as Sigyn.

"An unpleasant one at that." Sigyn shot back as the group stopped midway. "We're here so why don't you let these people go?"

"Never let it be known that I'm not a woman of my word." Ymir stated casually before she turned to the masses and flicked her hand "Get out of here or suffer the consequences!" She ordered and like a flood, the people scrambled up and started running away through the blanket of snow that had fallen in such a short time. The chaos of the fleeing people soon passed and Ymir cocked her head to the left as she observed the odd group. "You have Midgardians? Have the mighty Aesir fallen so low?" She asked as she looked at Astrid, Dagur and Snotlout with contempt.

"You're actually focussing on that now?!" Sigyn asked as she frowned.

"Why not?" Ymir asked as she lounged on the throne she had conjured. "It's not like you lot actually stand a chance."

"If I remember correctly we ended in a draw last fight." Sigyn growled as she displayed her hammer. "Do you want a repeat beating?"

"Sigyn back off," Loki ordered and then turned towards Ymir. "You wanted to see me and now you have. Why don't we quit the idle chit chat and get to the point?"

"Well you're no fun," Ymir let out a sigh. "My offer is this. Join me or die."

"Well she's blunt," Dagur mumbled.

"Join you?!" Loki asked with skepticism. "Why in Norns name would I join you?!"

"You're strong and a Jothun. The Jothuns were made to obey me, their creator! With a strong leader to follow they would rally once more." Ymir told him plainly. The group could see that she was still quite miffed about the fact that Laufey had been dethroned.

"So you basically want to install me as a puppet ruler for the Jothuns." Loki muttered. "And if I refuse, you kill me?"

"Strong and clever," Ymir stated as she finally stood up. She smoothed her chainmail and placed a lock of white hair behind her ear. The snow parted for her as she took a few steps closer.

"Your Highness," Sigyn muttered low, addressing Loki, as she gripped her warhammer and glared at Ymir.

"Not now Sigyn," Loki warned as he didn't take his eyes off of their opponent.

"So do we have a deal?" Ymir asked as her red pupils were trained on Loki.

"Hmmmm........" Loki thought.

"You can't seriously be considering this?!" Astrid asked.

"What if I say that I want the throne of Asgard as well?" Loki smirked as he asked this.

"Oh shiitake mushrooms!" Snotlout exclaimed. "He can't be serious!"

"The Aesir are weak if they need the help of Midgardians." Ymir stated. "Take that throne if you want."

"Hey now! Hold on a damn second lady!" Snotlout shouted. "We volunteered!"

"Of course you did," Ymir huffed. "Midgardians are 'Free agents'. The treaties Asgard has do not apply to them. So no rules have been broken. The Allfather is old. Doting on Midgardians is a weakness. They are but ants looking for crumbs."

"Okay she is seriously getting on my nerves!" Snotlout exclaimed as he took out the harpoon gun he had in his backpack.

"Snot take it easy!" Astrid warned as she put her hand on the harpoon gun. Now is not the time.

Ymir was already ignoring the others as she focussed back onto Loki. Right now she needed someone other than those two imbeciles to get the job done. "So do we have a deal?" She asked with a fake smile.

"You know........." Loki gave her a smirk of his own. "It all sounds so tempting but you made your pitch to the wrong person."

"What?!" Ymir growled as her eyes narrowed.

"I'm not Loki." The person said as the illusion faded to reveal Jerry.

"You dare to trick me!" Ymir shouted incensed as cold wind gathered around her but she shrieked when a huge blast of energy collided with her and sent her hurtling into a nearby empty coffee shop with such force that the shop started collapsing.

"Nice shot dad!" Jerry shouted and gave a wave as the gang looked up into the sky. Toothless came down a bit lower and the group could see Hiccup and Loki on his back. They quickly landed and Loki hopped off.

"Next time you fire something like that make sure you don't nearly take my ears off." Toothless warned with a huff.

"You were right. Afterimages can't detect illusion magic." Sigyn was impressed. That blast held more magic than she had thought.

"We aren't done yet." Loki stated as the debris subsided to reveal a seething Ymir with magic glowing around her.

"Can I beat her up now?" Sigyn asked as she readied her weapon.

"Have at it." Loki laughed and made a motion with his hands. Sigyn was off with a warcry.