[center][img]https://cdn-media.threadless.com/challenges/thor_mainbanner_1.jpg[/img][/center] 

[b][right]Jotunheim // 100 Years before the Dawn of Man[/right][/b]

Odin stood, legs shoulder-width apart braced for the fight of his life. Gungnir was poised ready to strike. Fárbauti turned to his Queen muttering to her in their shared tongue. [b][i][color=#00ffff]“ᛏᚨᚴᛖ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚲᚨᛋᚴᛖᛏ, ᚱᚢᚾ.”[/color][/i][/b] She turned and ran the casket in hand, taking massive strides. Odin took a step forward however Fárbauti took a step forward swinging the mighty frozen blade, slamming it down on the ground. A crack in the floor opened up, zig-zagging along the floor. 

Odin stepped to the side, the floor below him opening up. Balanced on the edge of the chasm he avoided looking down into the very depths of Jotunheim. He turned to look at Fárbauti, raising Gungnir towards him with one hand. [color=#7bcdc8]“ᛁᚾ ᛏᚺᛖ ᚾᚨᛗᛖ ᛟᚠ ᛗᚤ ᚠᚨᛏᚺᛖᚱ, ᚨᚾᛞ ᚤᛟᚢᚱ ᚠᚨᛏᚺᛖᚱ. ᛁ ᚲᚺᚨᛚᛚᛖᚾᚷᛖ ᚤᛟᚢ ᛏᛟ ᛋᛁᚾᚷᛚᛖ ᚲᛟᛗᛒᚨᛏ!”[/color]

Fárbauti laughed before raising his sword and roaring, the five other giants pushed running at him. A lance of light fired from Gungnir, hitting two of the giants square in the chest as they charged, Fárbauti continued the charge, they didn’t even flinch as for a Jotun to fall is to be weak. To be weak is to die. Two giants fell as Odin turned as the blade fell down beside him, he could feel the cold radiating from it. Slamming the end of Gungnir into the belly of one of the beasts he swung it around between hands slashing another one. Part of him wished Gungnir had the same enchantment the one Ve had on Dainsleif, where even the smallest wound resulted in death. It did push the Jotun back, however, giving him more room to breathe. 

While the numbers had improved, Odin was still alone against four giants. Ducking below a blade Gungnir let out a blast of light into the ceiling, cracking it some of the giants ducked as the roof came collapsing down. Smaller than the giants Odin moved with ease between the pieces of debris, all of them landing harmlessly around him. 

As one of the Jotuns charged him, the giant blade raised in the air Odin felt a sigh of relief slip from his lips as suddenly the giant's face exploded in blood and brains. The blade Skofnung landed in the ground, before being pulled back by magic into Vili's hands as he dove through the hole in the roof. The giants momentarily distracted, two of them fell as they were struck from behind as Ve slid past them as he re-entered the room. 

It was now three against one, with a smile upon his face Odin raised Gungnir, parrying a blow from the giant. Moving his hands he flicked upwards, the giant frost blade being knocked from the giant's hands. Capitalizing on the momentum Odin put the spear into the ground, launching himself into the air. Both feet into the chest of the giant pushing him backward and onto his back. Odin let himself fall into the movement, spinning the blade in his hands. Pointing Gungnir towards the ground he held it in both hands, slamming it down towards the beast's chest. 

Only to have it deflected by a blade. A look of confusion on his face, he turned to look at the culprit. As a being impossibly small held the sword, a look of disgust on Fárbauti's face.


[hider=Translation]
[color=#00ffff]Fárbauti: Take the casket, run.[/color]
[color=#7bcdc8]Odin: In the name of my father, and your father. I challenge you to single combat![/color]
[/hider]

[b][right]Mount Olympus // Midgard
[sup]Greek Pantheon portrayed by [@Mao Mao][/sup][/right][/b]

Upon entering the Hall of Olympus, Zeus saw his children in the midst of a heated discussion about their reason for being summoned. All of them received Hermes’ message, but the reason for the assembly was rather vague. The messenger was purposefully leaving out valuable details besides the visitor was the Asgardian God of Mischief. And he didn’t say anything else since handing the last scroll to his father. Regardless, the Twelve Olympians were called upon for an audience with an Asgardian. That was important enough. 

Zeus approached Dionysus and Aphrodite, arguing about their affairs on Gaia.

[color=#ff87c3]“-I swear to the Gods if you dare to overstep into my profession again, you’ll regret it brother!”[/color]

Dionysus put his hands and gasped in shock. [color=#ffd2e8]“My own sister dares to cry foul because she’s afraid of a competitor! It isn’t my fault that I love to engage in the activity. Maybe you should have tried harder to-”[/color]

Zeus coughed loud enough to get both of their attention. Aphrodite bowed down as a sign of respect while Dionysus crossed his arms instead. The God of Lighting didn’t have the time to correct his son’s disrespect. Instead, he scolded both of them. [color=#3d85c6]“Enough! Didn’t you both forget to never discuss your dealings in Man’s World?”[/color]

[color=#ff87c3]“Sorry,[/color][color=#ffd2e8] father.”[/color] Both of them apologized in different tones, but Zeus accepted it. For now. 

[color=#3d85c6]“Go.”[/color] Zeus ordered and turned towards the other Gods. [color=#3d85c6]“Take your seats now. This assembly has commenced. Bring forth the Trickster of Asgard!”[/color]

The massive doors of the hall opened up and Loki, along with the Kolossi, made their way up the steps and into the center. The Twelve Olympians, including Hades, looked upon the Asgardian and were curious about the unexpected visit. However, they remained silent to allow Zeus the first word of the audience. And after a moment of examining the trickster, he leaned from his throne and asked a simple question.

[color=#3d85c6]“Why did you request to speak with us?”[/color]

Loki walked into the throneroom, the twelve thrones spread along the back of the room in a semicircle. At the head of the room was Zeus, ‘King of the Gods’. So he called himself, yet in the eyes of Midgard they were but a speck. The Asgardian race had existed for as long as Gaia had roamed the surface of the planet, since the Mother Goddess Gaia spawned Atum in order to protect Midgard from its former Elder Gods. 

The Asgardians and the Olympians had a troubled history, word among the Pantheons that Odin stole the flame to give to man in order to spite his father Bor who hated the mortals. In retribution Bor told Zeus that the mortals had stolen the flame themselves, gifting Zeus Pandora's box to release pain and strife into the mortal world. He bowed, sweeping his head down low and his arm outstretched in the most flamboyant way possible. Oh the rage Zeus would have if he knew that Loki had been the one to steal the flame. [color=#93c47d]“Oh great and powerful Zeus. I come before you in times of a great threat. As such I come to notify you that despite the treaty that Asgard and myself made, entrusting you to make sure no member of the other eight realms sets foot on Midgard my brother Thor, Son of Odin has returned in order to investigate and stop this threat from destroying the nine realms. I have come to inform you that your role in enforcing the treaty is no longer required, oh mighty Lords of Olympus.”[/color]

All of the Gods were caught off guard by the news. Dionysus nearly choked on his wine while Athena called out to her owl for guidance. The reveal as an Asgardian set foot in their world was truly a violation of the treaty. Zeus was visibly trying to contain his anger in front of the guest, but it was getting more difficult. [color=#3d85c6]“If such news is the truth, then why couldn’t Odin present himself to us. Why did he send forward a child to defend such a clear attack on the treaty?”[/color]

Loki smiled at Zeus, the self appointed God above all. [color=#93c47d]“Need I remind you, oh Lords of Olympus that it was I that brokered the treaty between the nine realms and requested that you our [i]closest[/i] allies in the pantheons of Midgard help ensure that the treaty was upheld. Your services are no longer required, let this be a burden raised from your shoulders Olympians! It shall give you all the more time to be among the mortals and their dreary little lives.”[/color]

[color=#3d85c6]“No longer required?”[/color] Zeus smashed the arm of his throne and pointed at the child. [color=#3d85c6]“Are you truly blind or just plain ignorant? What would Asgard do without our Kolossi and Amazonians protecting their precious tree? How would they have dealt with the other pantheons if they dared to challenge your father? You may have been an architect of the treaty and became the crown prince, but you are still just a boy!”[/color]

A smirk crossed Loki's face. [color=#93c47d]“Need I remind you o’King of Olympus that we are around the same age. As for Asgard it would survive, as would Yggdrasil. The job entrusted to the Olympians, for which you received handsome reparations as you will recall, was to ensure that no-one from any of the other realms came to Midgard, and no harm came to it to which I might add you have done a [i]wonderful[/i] job in letting the mortals govern themselves. As for the many other pantheons as you will recall have been dormant for a very long time, and some have retreated to the Omnipotence City. Asgard has fair relations with the ones that remain. We thank you for your service and are eternally grateful. Though our dealings are at an end.”[/color]

Zeus was filled with such anger that he couldn’t respond to the disrespect. Instead, he stood up and prepared to punish the child. His hand rose up as sparks flew from his arm, and the God of Lighting was ready to strike. If the boy wanted to act ill-mannered, then Zeus needed to teach him some manners. Before he could cast his hand down, Hera rose up from her throne and grabbed her staff. The other Gods watched in disbelief as she was breaking several rules created by her husband. Then, in a bold attempt to restore order, she stuck the marble flooring and yelled out with her matured voice.

[b][color=#f1c232]“Silence!”[/color][/b]

Zeus’ eyes widened in disbelief as the electricity slowly faded from his arm. He was offended that his own wife would dare to break his rules. But when he tried to reprimand her, Hera avoided it and kept on talking. [color=#f1c232]“Have you both lost your common decency?! Husband, how dare you for thinking to strike our guest-an Asgardian-because he may speak truth?! And you, Asgardian God of Trickster, are foolish enough to insult the King of Gods during your audience! Both of you should be ashamed!”[/color]

As Hera took a moment to calm down, the other Gods were talking among themselves about Hera’s moment of defiance and the big reveal. Zeus, meanwhile, couldn’t form words to this offense committed by his own wife. Instead, he remained silent, and angrily went over to his throne to reflect. The Queen of the Gods took a deep breath and turned her attention to the Asgardian. [color=#f1c232]“Unlike my husband, I do understand why our warriors are no longer needed. But, our services to Asgard and Gaia are not done just yet.”[/color]

Loki didn’t so much as flinch despite the power that Zeus had on show. He knew he could survive more than a single lightning bolt. He was about ready to speak when Queen Hera spoke up. He had to hide the smirk. Such strife among the Gods, no matter what Pantheon they were from. [color=#93c47d]“I assure you M’lady-”[/color] He bowed his head out of respect. [color=#93c47d]“-I mean not to insult the King of the Olympians. I merely [i]corrected[/i] him on the notion of me being a mere boy. When I am no more than a century younger than his excellency. May I ask, to which services you refer?”[/color]

[color=#f1c232]“Well, you mentioned a great threat against your nine realms hidden in Man’s World. It means indirect harm to our domain and creation. Why don’t we offer assistance to Asgard-one last time?”[/color][color=#e69138] [/color]Hera smiled after answering the trickster’s question. 

Loki nodded and bowed. [color=#93c47d]“Need I remind you, your graces, that while your Lord Zeus and the other members here had a hand for how Midgard was formed and shaped, that you can not take sole credit? King Bor had influence, as did Odin in both Midgards creation and the worlds in this universe as did many others. Thus it is not solely your creation, or your domain. Midgard is at the centre of Yggdrasil, the tree that binds the nine realms together. The threat to Yggdrasil is one you do not understand, we shall deal with it ourselves.”[/color] He turned directly to Hera and bowed. [color=#93c47d]“Though I am grateful for the offer.”[/color]

Hera couldn’t help but laugh at the response. [color=#f1c232]“You may be right, but everybody knows the truth. But we don’t have the time to debate. And I wasn’t talking about aiding you, Loki.”[/color]

[color=#f1c232]“Athena.”[/color] Hera turned towards the Goddess of Wisdom and guided the guest towards her. [color=#f1c232]“Please give your wisdom to the trickster.”[/color]

[color=#c9daf8]“Yes, Queen.”[/color] Athena got up from her throne and allowed her owl to land on Loki. [color=#cfe2f3]“Your brother, God of Thunder, will cooperate with influential mortals. And those earthlings will call upon our creation known as Wonder Woman to them. Both of them will have their introductions and quarrels, but they will eventually work to defend Gaia and Yggdrasil from the threat. That’s my insight and our aid.”[/color]

Loki turned to Athena and then back to Hera. [color=#b6d7a8]“So by aid you meant to say you would give prophecy? If this is the extent of your aid in that your champion may or may not help the Odinson, then I accept and humbly ask for your patience in this time of transition from our former agreement. It is safe to say, the Asgardians have returned to Midgard.”[/color] This was all going to work fantastically. 

[hr]

[b][right]The Ship of Beta-Ray Bill / Nidavellir[/right][/b]

Lady Sif walked through the halls of the ship, there was cool air in the ship as he passed through the halls. The pods on the side of the wall seemed to spit forth cold air. She took a second to lean in closer to one of the bodies, they were similar in appearance to Bill though there were differences. Bill was more pronounced, more muscle and sinew whereas these mortals almost appeared malnourished. Tortured and beaten before they wound up dead. The beast had seemed intent that someone had killed his people, and it was someone who appeared to be similar to Thor. She knew Thor had rage, and a warriors heart but nothing could compel him to such savagery. She was broken free from her wandering thoughts as she came across a door unlike any other she had seen so far.

Strange runes engrained on it. Lifting her hand to it the door opened, within there were windows that went nowhere and showed more strange runes and shapes on them. On some of the windows she could somehow see the exterior of the ship. As she walked into the room a red light pierced from a tablet covered in runes, starting at the top of her head it worked its way down. She drew her blade and moved into a ready stance waiting for an attack that never came. [color=#d9d9d9]“ErrOR: Protector is not detected.”[/color] The voice was distorted, and broken up. As if something was wrong.

[color=#674ea7]“Hail! Who goes there?”[/color] Sif walked cautiously into the room, looking all around her trying to figure out where the voice was coming from. It seemed to come from the very walls themselves.

[color=#d9d9d9]“Designation: Skuttlebutt. A.I Operator of the Korbin evacuation fleet.”[/color]

[color=#674ea7]“Fleet?” [/color]This didn’t sound right, unless the All-Speak had failed this vessel, if it truly had a voice, was expecting there to be a fleet of vessels when there was only one. 

[color=#d9d9d9]“Correct, one hundred vessels carrying evacuees from Korbin. The last of its people-”[/color]

[color=#674ea7]“Nay Skuttlebutt. You are the only ship left.”[/color]