Chapter 376 - 14-15

Chapter 14 – Midgard (4)

(Midgard – Norway - 10th Century)

The world would never truly be the same.

Kal's hands were bloody, and his eyes burned hot as the rage he felt manifested in twin beams of red-hot fury that tore through his surroundings. Lakstad was burning, its people nearly entirely slaughtered, and the screaming wails of the survivors would haunt the memories of all for eternity.

However, Kal was oblivious to that, he was oblivious to their suffering, he was oblivious to the smell of burning flesh, he was oblivious to the charred bodies of the men he had killed, he was oblivious to all except one thing.

The cold unmoving body of Lagertha that was in his hands.

Kal's hand reached out and stroked the now cold cheek of his love, brushing aside the once purely golden hair that had started to grey, tears replaced fury and Kal wept as his memories drifted back to happier days.

Kal had kept his promise to Lagertha and had returned as soon as he was able, it had nearly been a year which Kal regretted but he had duties and responsibilities that he couldn't just forsake. Finally, being allowed to use the Bifrost as he convinced his father that he needed to know the worlds he would one day protect.

However, if Lagertha held any resentment towards him being gone for so long she only showed it for a moment when she slapped him upon his return, only to then practically leaping into arms, Midgardian women were strange.

She showed him around Lakstad which had grown more processes using the money the dragons had left behind, as well as famous from the tales told about the gods slaughtering said dragons. Kal had politely listened to one song about the subject and with the exception of him being there, the tale was nothing like what had happened.

The story was now that he alone had been slaughtered the beasts whilst Thor was reduced to a drinking partying god, whose arrival and subsequent debauchery in the great hall had been so loud that it had summoned the beasts. Then when Thor was too drunk to drive off the beasts Kal, God of Protection and Friend of man, had heard their distress raced from Asgard on foot, took up his flaming sword, slaughtered the beasts and then gave the gold to the mortals, all out of the generosity of his heart.

Kal had politely told the singer it was a good song, praised them for their performance and then made a mental note to talk to Loki who he strongly suspected as having spread the false tale to make Thor look bad.

Lagertha had also shown him the rebuilt settlement, the runestone the people had raised for her brother and the dead the dragons had killed. Those were sombre reminders that the people of Midgard were not like the Asgardians he had grown up with, they were fragile creatures who even the weakest of Asgard foes could cut down as if they wheat in a field.

However, any sombreness was quickly dispelled when Lagertha had brought the children to see Kal, she had adopted Harald and Aslaug as they had no one else, and the glaring fact that her father was now without a male heir, so the adopted Harald would suffice.

Kal was at first hesitant, he had never really interacted with children before but soon grew to adore the two, Harald was brave and determined, desiring to be a warrior like Lagertha and Kal. Whilst Aslaug was the sweetest child in all of the nine realms, she had a commanding presence and was so polite that she could give his mother a run for her money.

He quickly discovered that he greatly enjoyed showing Harald how to hold a sword and what the duty of a warrior should be, feeling a connection with what his own father had so recently taught him. Whilst with Aslaug he felt as if he was observing a miniature version of his mother, sweet and kind but with a commanding presence that even brought Kal to heel at times.

In short, his visits to Midgard quickly became about them as much as Lagertha, with the four of them entering a strange but fulfilling life during the times Kal was present at Lakstad. He would spend weeks at a time when he was able, finding a peace he rarely enjoyed on Asgard and once pushed he stay over a month but never repeated the act when his father had been furious at him neglecting his duties.

His trips to Midgard were also causing issues for Lakstad and Lagertha as well, as despite their best efforts rumours started about the Jarl's daughters and the frequent visits the settlement received from God.

The rumours were made worse by the fact that said visits had resulted in myths springing up about Lakstad. With it quickly becoming a site of pilgrimage for the more religious-minded Norse and one day Kal discovered a very large temple had been built dedicated solely to him. Which whilst flattering made him very uncomfortable.

Despite that however Kal continued his visits and greatly enjoyed his time on Midgard, there was no stress, no worries about being a prince and Lagertha never treated him with any kind of reverence which Kal loved her for.

As the years turned passed by however Kal started discovering that idyllic escape that he had carved out for himself on Midgard had one fatal flaw, it was impermanent.

On Asgard, things changed yes but it was a slow gradual change or was a known change like his brothers and him, they grew rapidly as Midgardians but once they reached their prime as they had they stopped. Whereas on Midgard everything changed constantly and very rapidly, he would leave to attend his duties and then return to find, nothing was the same as he left, a fact that troubled him.

The key sign of change for Kal was Lagertha his father, his mother, even Loki had warned him, that the mortals of Midgard grew like wheat, quickly, without pause and no sooner had they lived than they were gone. His father especially warned against forming attachments to creatures whose lives were so fleeting.

Just over ten years had passed, and the woman Kal adored was no longer a young vibrant shieldmaiden with locks the colour of gold, instead, her hair was starting to grey, tiredness was evident in her muscles and looked more matriarch than maiden.

"Harald wants to go raiding" Lagertha commented looking at the fire in the centre of the great hall where they had just finished a meal.

They were alone now, her father Jarl Regin who was still alive, but now ancient as well as ill had been taken off to bed escorted by Aslaug and Harald had gone off to drink with his friends.

"Is that wise?" Kal asked.

Whilst he understood the lure of battle, he never got the Midgard sense to randomly pillage other lands for glories for no gain other than wealth. So, he was always delicate about talking about it instead of just saying that he taught it was idiotic.

"Everyone else his age goes on the raids, and all his friends do. It is what is expected of a boy ….. of a man in his position." Lagertha said as she turned to face Kal who was leaning on a table.

"By that logic, I should have done exactly what my brothers were doing, namely either ignoring my parent's lessons to get drunk or ignoring them to prank the one having fun." Kal quipped with a smile that was not returned by Lagertha.

"Kal I am serious… I want you to go with him." Lagertha request caused Kal to be silent.

The request lingered in the air, as all Kal could do was stare at Lagertha with an unreadable expression on his face. In the years since they had started their romance, Lagertha had never made a request of Kal, in truth she had never needed to, but her first-ever request was one Kal never would have excepted.

He closed his eyes and sighed forcibly, a look of pain almost upon his face as he struggled between what his heart wished of him and what his head told him was his duty. The silence lasted only minutes but for Kal and Lagertha it seemed an eternity.

"I cannot," Kal whispered his response, he opened his eyes and looked at Lagertha with sadness.

"Why NOT, every time you have come here you fly around helping everyone who asks. I am asking you to keep Harald, OUR Harald safe." Lagertha was seething, she was clearly trying to stay calm but was failing.

"BECAUSE" Kal had not meant to yell and soon regretted his actions, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Because this is different and you know it, I have duties and responsibilities, one of which is not to interfere in the affairs between the people of Midgard.

"You interfere all the ti-" Lagertha stood tall trying to look commanding but was silenced by Kal, who rose from the table he had been leaning on.

"NO, I help. I lend aid, I do not wage wars, tell people how to live and I do not raid other places, just for glory and a bit of wealth. And even the help I have given has been too much." Kal's frustration too was growing, causing him to slam his fist into the table next to him in anger.

The result was that the table shattered at the blow, resulting in a deafening noise that again brought silence to the hall. A servant appeared to investigate the noise but promptly turned on their heel and retreated once they saw who was in the hall.

The two stared at each other, ignoring the damage Kal had inflicted neither wishing to be the first one to relent. The silence again lasted for eternity for Kal, who wished deeply that he could acquiesce but the voice in his head that sounded like his father told him to stay strong.

It was Lagertha who finally relented, releasing a deep sigh, and sat down placing her head in her hands, Kal released his own sigh and sat next to her.

"I cannot stop him, and I cannot go with him. He wants to go raiding with Jaekelsson." Lagertha spat the name out with disgust.

"He is not a boy anymore, he has to make his own decisions no matter what we think. Who is Jaekelsson?" Kal asked gently it was a name he had not heard before.

"Harald Jaekelsson, he is a warrior of some note and a great raider, he wants warriors from the famous Lakstad to join him on a great raid he has planned. I have heard disturbing reports about his raids, and my father has always refused to allow his ship to dock here." Lagertha spoke resignedly as if she knew Kal was right.

Kal opened his mouth to respond but suddenly snapped his head as if he had heard some noise like a fox in wild. He was facing towards Lakstad's walls, his eyes contracted and a look of concern appeared on his face

"What is it?" Lagertha asked in alarm knowing full well the reach of Kal's abilities, fearing he was seeing some danger to her home.

Kal was silent for a few moments before he responded his voice held confusion which soon replaced the concern on his face.

"My brother Loki is here," Kal stated as he watched his brother, who hated Midgard believing it a backwater and dirty, completely unaccompanied come bounding across the field on his steed.

(Midgard – 10th Century)

"What do you mean the Kree empire have declared invaded the Skrulls? The Skrulls are peaceful and no threat to the Kree" Kal asked.

His brother had just told him of the conflict that had just broken out and that he was there to take Kal back to Asgard before their father sent men looking for Kal who had told their father he would be on Vanaheim.

Which in truth he had been and had met many of his mother's people's he had just also snuck off to Midgard for a little while.

"Well, they have, father, is concerned that it may drag others into the conflict. He wants all his sons back to show a united front." Loki spoke in his usual disinterested tone, whilst almost lounging on the bench he was sitting on.

"Father is planning on intervening?" Kal asked, surprised as his father rarely allowed Asgard to become embroiled in affairs not concerning the nine realms.

"No idea, I suspect not, merely he wants to show strength, BUT regardless we need to go home now." Loki gaze flitted to Lagertha, before returning to his brother.

Kal just nodded his own vision darting to Lagertha before he returned to his brother "Give me a moment and I will be with you, brother."

Loki sighed at his brother's response, rolled his eyes and gave a small shrug indicating that he was little concerned with his brother's goodbyes as long as they were departing. Loki rose from his seat and grandly dusted himself as if merely being on Midgard was covering him in a fine layer of filth before he departed the hall.

"Leaving already." Lagertha shook her head.

"I have too, there is a war that could threaten all of th-" Kal started but Lagertha just lifted up her hand silencing him.

"There is always something, and you are always leaving … I cannot keep doing this." Lagertha released a frustrated sigh as her hand started rubbing her head in frustration.

"Lagertha I -" Kal again tried to talk and reached out to her but was cut off.

"JUST go, please" Lagertha shook her head and turned from him.

Kal closed his eyes and sighed a look of reluctant resignation on his face as he turned to leave the hall pausing only a moment to look at Lagertha one last time before leaving.

"I would tell Harald that a famous man may seek war but a good one defends what he has." Kal turned and left the great hall.

He was greeted by Loki who gave his brother a warm smile and a strong pat on the back, more out of brotherly affection than a real understanding of what had just happened. Kal appreciated it nonetheless and gave his brother a forced smile.

"Come let us get back before father finds out where we actually are." Kal gave a chuckle that was more forced than he intended.

The return to Asgard was a shift one, and Kal was surprised to see that the Einherjar were not out in force, despite the fact that the Kree had attacked the Skrulls. Although he supposed his father did not really mean to intervene in the conflict just observe it.

"BUT Father surely we should -" Thor's voice could clearly be heard as they entered the Throne room.

"ENOUGH, I have spoken, we will wait for your brother to return and AH my younger sons return." Odin's eye had spotted Kal and Loki even before they entered the Hall, his great eye-piercing stone and metal.

"Father" Both the princes said in unison giving their father a deep bow, before taking their place amongst the gathered council.

Kal settled in next to Thor but was not really paying attention to the meeting his mind was still on Midgard, thinking about Lagertha and her request. The two of them had been in a relationship of sorts for nearly ten years, he had been heavily involved with both Harald and Aslaug and cared deeply for Lagertha.

Yet in all those years, he had never told his parents or his brothers about them, he had never once considered bringing them to Midgard and in truth, he often put them out of his mind when he was attending to his duties. Kal knew something had to change and soon, he had been living a fantasy with Lagertha and reality was beginning to set it, he just had to decide what reality would replace it.

Complete honesty with his parents and trying to build a real-life with Lagertha with whatever time they had left or leaving behind the infatuation of his youth and embracing the life his parents had laid out for him.

"Father, what is the point of being one of the strongest powers if we do not intervene. This conflict could spill over into the nine realms, let me act before that occurs." Thor leaned forward gestured with his fist, desperate to convince their father to commit troops.

Kal shook thoughts of Midgard from his head as he realised that Thor was again arguing with their father, evidently wanting to respond militarily to the latest act of Kree aggression. Kal loved his brother and would follow Thor anywhere and often did, but he was always a little weary that his brothers' solutions to problems usually used force.

"You would drag us into a war we know little about and risk Asgard, ALL of the Nine Realms." Odin's voice was calm yet commanding, his great eye lingering on Thor.

The council was silent as it always was when the eldest son of Odin clashed with the Allfather himself, no one wanting to risk the ire of either man. Loki merely smirked next to Thor, taking pleasure in Thor's condemnation by their father, an act that earned him a glare from Kal and shakes of his little brothers heard.

"Father why should intervene, the Kree empire and Skrulls border several of our protectorates, and Midgard as well," Kal spoke up setting forward next to Thor.

"EXACTLY" Thor gestured to Kal and gave his brother a great smile for his support, which quickly vanished with Kal's words.

"However, force of arms would be drastic. Perhaps you could send a delegation to Hala, ensure that the Kree honour their treaties with us and keep out of Asgardian space." Kal looked at Thor who merely shook his head at his little brother.

"Talk, what is talking going to achieve we should march into Hala and dema-" Thor's tirade was halted by striking of Gungnir.

"ENOUGH," Odin released a weary sigh. "Thank you for attending, I will let you all know my decision."

The gathered men quickly bowed, except for Thor who just sighed and departed, likely to go hit something very hard to vent his frustrations. Kal was about to leave when his father's voice reached him.

"Kal stay a moment." Odin was still standing and gestured for Kal to come over to him.

Kal caught Loki's eye who merely shrugged and departed, leaving Kal alone with their father. He tried to stand as tall as he could and look as calm as possible.

"Father, I was just trying to he-" Kal began to defend himself but was halted by his father raising his hand.

"What message would you deliver to the Kree, if I were to send you?" Odin's eye was looking at Kal with an inquisitive gage.

"ME." Kal was startled. "Um I did not mean me, I meant someone wise and experienced, like you or mother or Mímir or ANYBODY on the council."

Kal was a little shocked his father had entrusted him with many duties and responsibilities, but leading a delegation to Hala to talk to the Kree was something else entirely.

"And why my son would I not send you?" Odin smiled at Kal's hesitation.

"I am, I am, I am. Well young, I barely 30 father. And, and not the Crown Prince. If you wish to send a royal representative why not Thor or Loki or Mother." Kal was stuttering now something he had not done in years.

"The idea was yours; your mother has duties she cannot ignore and neither of your brothers suggested the idea. So, I ask again what message you would send?" Odin asked placing a comforting hand on Kal's shoulder.

Kal blinked at his father's statement and swallowed the bitter taste that rose in his throat at the prospect his father was presenting. His mind started racing, trying to remember everything he could about the Kree and their treaties with Asgard.

"One of concern about their recent actions, reminding them of the delicate balance of the cosmos. Along with a friendly reminder about their treaties with us and that they should avoid their conflict spilling over into realms under our protection, lest a misfortunate understanding for all involved." Kal straightened his back and looked his father in the eye.

Odin was silent for a few moments before a smile appeared on his face and Kal felt a gentle yet powerful squeeze on his shoulder.

"Good my boy, we cannot involve ourselves in the affairs of others unless it affects the Nine realms," Odin spoke softly.

"I understand that is your decision as King, but what the Kree are doing is wrong, father. We could stop them, we should stop them." Kal spoke with honesty and conviction his father found admirable.

"We could, but then where do we stop?" Odin looked his son in the eye and spoke harshly but truthfully.

"Father I am not suggesting conquest, just that we intervene to protect another realm as you do with our allies and the nine realms," Kal spoke with passion and conviction.

"The Kree will not change, we would have to conqueror them. Then who else? Anyone we disagree with, anyone that lives in a manner that we dislike. How many would we have to slaughter? How many wars?" Odin gripped his son's shoulder tightly and waited for a response

Kal opened his mouth but quickly closed it a look of resignation upon his face as he suddenly felt like a little boy again, his father giving him another lecture about duty and responsibility.

"I understand wanting to make the cosmos a better place, but we keep the peace by limiting ourselves, by understanding that every action we take has consequences. We have great power my son, but the great power we have is the restraint not to wield it blindly." Odin sighed as patted Kal on the shoulder.

"I understand father." Kal's mind then drifted back to Midgard.

The actions he had taken there drifted into his mind, a decade of skirting duties to be Lagertha, of half-truths to play with the children and what had it gained him. A life complicated by a love he could not hold onto, a place dear to him that was made a target because of the wealth his presence brought, and the devotion of people he found disturbing.

Odin clearly saw the look of contention on his face and gave him a fatherly smile and started guiding him back towards the royal apartments in the palace.

"You are a good son, have no fear. I will send you to Hala in a few days, Mímir will go with you to advise. Do not provoke outrage, just remind them of our treaties and that this conflict MUST stay out of the nine realms." Odin's voice had returned to that of the Allfather, rather than just Kal's father.

(Hala – 10th Century)

Kal left for Hala as instructed and was accompanied by Mímir, several dozen servants, a very large contingent of Einherjar and his best friend Haldor. He was leading Kal's Einherjar escort, having achieved a highly respected position in the past ten years and had volunteered to go with his oldest friend.

Hala the homeworld of the Kree was beautiful there was no denying the fact, however, it was very different to Asgard or any of the Nine Realms. It kind of reminded Kal of Knowhere, just much cleaner and organised, Hala a sprawling metropolis of spires and marvels that were interlocked in a complex landscape.

However, Hala was also brutal the architecture although impressive and beautiful at first glance was subtly militaristic, clearly designed to dominate as well as intimidate both the local population and visitors. Kal could also see because of his enhanced senses the more repugnant side of the Kree as well, although they hid it well it was clear that there were slaves present on Hala, labouring away in the shadows.

In short, Hala was not a place Kal particularly wanted to spend any time on, he was very happy to deliver his message and leave. The only problem was that he was currently being made to wait, he and his large retinue had been placed in a very nice hall after Kal had refused rooms not wanting this to be dragged out.

Hours had passed since their arrival in the Hall, and while Kal understood that it was likely a diplomatic tactic, he was still losing his patience quickly, although not as quickly as others.

"This is unacceptable to keep a prince of Asgard waiting." Haldor was pacing back and forth in front of the hall's doors arms crossed across his chest.

"Haldor please calm yourself; this is merely a diplomatic tactic," Mímir spoke softly, looking at Kal who had yet to move from the spot he had been standing in since their arrival.

"ITS bloody insulting is what it is, blood skin Hruga uskit'rs" Haldor spat out his curse at Mimir's attempt to be responsible.

Just as Mímir was about to respond the door opened a very large group of Kree delegates arrived with an even larger group of soldiers escorting them.

"We apologise for the delay, your Royal Highness, what do we owe for the honour of the presence of the youngest son of Odin." The lead Kree delegate spoke in a tone Kal easily recognised.

It was one Loki often used when he wanted to insult people to their faces yet still sound polite so they couldn't cause a scene.

"We are here to express our concern with the present state of affairs, your conflict with the Skrulls is destabilizing and we wish to ensure that the Kree will not violate any of the treaties they have signed with Asgard." Kal stepped forward, towering over the Kree delegate, speaking as his father had taught him with power and command.

To his credit the Kree did not flinch, meeting Kal's powerful gaze " Such a message could have been easily delivered by a simple transmission, it seems beneath the dignity of most princes."

"I am the messenger by command of the Allfather, and if the message is not received properly or worse ignored. Iwill be the one to return." Kal tried to sound like his father when delivering a threat.

In truth, in his own mind, Kal was panicking a little, he felt that he was sounding childlike and was trying too hard to sound commanding when his own father sounded natural. He was starting to think his earlier reluctance at being the envoy was well-founded and was already imagining the disappointment his father would have with him when he returned a failure.

However, despite Kal's own internal doubts, the room had fallen silent and even Haldor had gulped slightly at Kal's implied threat, just staring at his old friend as everyone waited to see what happened next.

"We will pass on the concerns of your father to the Supreme Intelligence, and I can assure you that the Kree Empire has no desire to break any treaty with Asgard." Kree delegate gave a slight bow of his head.

With the message delivered Kal decided that a prompt departure was best, there being no need to stay on Hala and risk some sort of incident. So after allowing Mímir to handle the small details of the meeting they left, and as they approached their departure point Kal let out a deep breath he had been holding in.

"Well, that was something," Haldor said, a look of surprise on his face.

"Was I that bad?" Kal asked his old friend concern evident in his voice.

"Oh no! You were that good, I mean I honestly thought for a moment there, that you were your father. That Kree looked like he was about to Skitr himself" Haldor spoke with honesty and grinned at Kal.

Haldor's statement caused the pair to start laughing as the rainbow hue of the Bifrost appeared around them.

(Asgard – 10th Century)

Upon his return to Asgard Kal and Mímir delivered their report to Odin whilst Haldor took his men back to the barracks.

Odin met their report with the same unwavering stoic expression he always had but Kal thought he saw a glimmer of pride in his father's eye, that made his chest swell with pride of his own. His brothers however who were also present were less enthused and less subtle in their response.

Thor openly scoffed at the report, Kal hoped it was more out of Thor's disbelief that the Kree could be diplomatic rather than an actual enmity his older brother might be holding against Kal. Whilst Loki just seemed his usual disinterested self but what was telling was that he did not offer even a subtle smile to Kal.

His report delivered Kal excused himself from the rest of the meeting wanting to clear his head rather than listen to the debate that was sure to follow regarding how to keep the Nine Realms safe, with war raging between the Kree and Skrulls.

His mind drifted back to Midgard as he was now free from obligations with keeping the Nine realms safe for the moment. Kal took to the skies to think, and action that had become his escape from concerns, over the years as he found he thought clearer when flying.

Kal was not sure what to do next, he cared for Lagertha deeply, he greatly like Lakstad, he also adored Harald and Aslaug, but in truth, things had changed. Somewhere Kal's idyllic and carefree escape had become all too real, it had gone from a respite of duties to become a whole new set of responsibilities.

He was very aware that he was crossing some lines as well, there was nothing wrong with the odd trip to Midgard and the worship that resulted in it due to Midgardians limited development, but Kal had built a life on Midgard. A life that was now making demands of him, which in truth were long overdue, he had played the god for so long that he had forgotten that every time he helped someone, they became dependent on him to a degree.

Lagertha in actual fact had been remarkably patient with him and beyond reasonable, she had sat back and watched him help so many people with minor problems and never asked anything of him, until now and what she asked was not unreasonable.

'What am I going to do?' Kal asked himself, his mind conflicted and providing no clear answer.

He landed at Himinbjorg, Heimdall's seat from which he guarded Asgard, his mind unconsciously drawing him to the place from which the Nine realms could be observed. Heimdall did not acknowledge his presence as he entered, standing like a statue on his raised platform.

"Back so soon, from your triumph with the Kree?" Heimdall's voice was dry but Kal could tell he was being humorous.

"Hardly a triumph, my old friend," Kal responded his eyes looking out at the cosmos.

"Perhaps." Heimdall looked at Kal. "Your thoughts linger on Midgard. On the Women?" The guardian of the Bifrost spoke softly.

"Yes," Kal knew hiding the truth from Heimdall was pointless "You never told my parents?"

"I am tasked with guarding Asgard and the Bifrost. Your actions threatened neither …. And Odin never asked." Heimdall gave a rare smile, one which Kal returned.

"How is she?" Kal looked at his old mentor.

"She is ….." Heimdall suddenly went silent as his vision focused on something Kal could not see.

"What? What is it?" Kal turned to face Heimdall.

"Her settlement had been attacked and I fear she is -" Heimdall stopped himself not wishing to cause his former student and friend pain.

"Send me." Kal words were blunt.

"My prince, I cannot," Heimdall stated, his duty prevented him from acting.

"SEND ME NOW." Kal's words caused the very walls of Himinbjorg to shake.

Heimdall looking into his former student's eyes, simply lifted his great blade Hofund and activated the Bifrost.

The brilliant and vibrant hues of the Bifrost engulfed sending him hurtling through the cosmos and when they dissipated Kal found the world around him was one of fire and horror.

(Midgard – Norway - Lakstad -10th Century)

Lakstad was burning, the screams of women, the crying of children and the groans of dying warriors could all be heard. The raiders had set fire to nearly every building and what was not on fire was covered in blood, corpses littered the streets.

However, all that was mute to Kal whose great sight only saw one figure in the entire horrific scene, as if a silhouette embraced her fallen form, Lagertha's still body engulfed his entire world.

She lay at the entrance of the Great Hall, the headless body of her aged father a few feet away from her, whilst a dark and brutal crimson wound stained the stomach of her dress. Her hair created a golden veil that hid her face, and despite the fires around her, she lay as if she was simply sleeping.

He walked like a man possessed ignorant to the cries and fury raging around him, not even Harald Lagertha's adopted son, that he passed could shake him from his stupor. The young warrior's yells to his mentor met with silence as he desperately defended his sister and clutch of small children.

Kal walked through the carnage and ascended the stairs, his walk was steady and methodical, only pausing once he reached his dark destination. He knelt his knee and feet becoming bloody as it dipped into the thick crimson pool that Lagertha was bathed in, he gently lifted her cradling her in his arms.

There was no warmth, no light, since the first time he had held her or even seen her there was nothing, no joy, no laughter, no fierceness, only silence and cold.

He pushed back the golden veil and was met by a sight that would haunt him forever, her mouth was a wash of dark crimson, and her eyes once full of life and passion were empty. The twin sapphires that had once been his whole world were now dull and ordinary.

He stroked Lagertha's now cold cheek, his face expressionless as he stared down at her. He heard the approach of two men coming from behind him, the sickening sound of blood-drenched boots squelching on the floor.

"Think that's him? The god Lakstad claimed they had." The first warrior said his voice hard and gritty.

"Might be, looks more like a prissy boy playing pretend in those fine clothes. Still, Jaekelsson will want his head for a trophy." The second warrior stated, lifting his sword off his shoulder.

Kal's response was cold and chilling, he laid Lagertha gently back on the ground and turned to face the raiders, his face was still blank and lacked all emotion. Kal's lack of response caused his would-be executioners to stumble back slightly, the first raider opened his mouth but whatever he said never came.

Charred flesh rained down on the second raider, who blinked and looked at where his companion had once been standing instead in his place, was a charred midriff and legs that promptly toppled over. As he looked back to Kal, he was met by the same expressionless face but with eyes that were now glowing red with a heat hotter than all the fires of Muspelheim.

He attempted to strike Kal with his sword but before he could even move twin beams of red light obliterated the man, leaving nothing but a smear.

Kal despite showing little emotion on his face was trembling, a fury he had never known before coursed through his veins, boiling his very soul along with his blood. The tears he had wept silently had burned away, his world was now one of red and crimson.

He moved forward and the fires of Lakstad were joined by a new more terrible heat, that none of the raiders would survive.

Harald Jaekelsson was reeling as he ran for his ship. His plan had been so simple, for years he had heard the rumours of the dragon-hoarded wealth of Lakstad, of the beautiful Shieldmaiden Lagertha, and most of all of the supposed God living there.

Upon hearing the rumours Jaekelsson had known it would be his destiny to sack the place, take Lagertha as his captive, and slay the fool pretending to be a god. It had initially gone so perfectly, Lagertha's adopted son had even invited them in and he found the rumours of a god living there to be just that rumours.

Their supposed God had apparently left a few days prior to his arrival, a story he believed they likely told any fool when he came to visit to keep the myth alive and the stream of idiots visiting the temple coming.

So, it was all so perfect when the night after his arrival he had thrown a feast to celebrate his upcoming raid, and when everyone was good a drunk, he unleashed his warriors on the settlement. Lagertha had unfortunately resisted and had to be killed, but no matter her adopted daughter Aslaug would make for a far greater prize once they took her.

However, his perfect plan had been interrupted a few hours later by a sudden burst of a strange light in the heavens, that crashed down into the centre of Lakstad, and a few moments after that he had heard a noise cutting through the sound of his men raiding. It was a harsh brutal sound accompanied by strange glowing bursts of red light.

It did not take long for Jaekelsson to meet its source, a man that had once been dressed in fine robes and light armour but was now covered in charred gore, with twin red suns blazing in his eyes, incinerating his men where they stood. Now he was not a religious man and truly believed that the gods were mere stories, but he quickly found faith when the monster before him tore a man in half with his bare hands.

Harald Jaekelsson was no fool and quickly ran before the creature could spot him, he ran fast despite his heavy armour, his flight aided by him discarding his shield and was in sight of his ship when a pair of twin beams obliterated it.

He did not feel the blow, but he felt the pain as no sooner had he blinked than he felt a hand on his throat lifting up like a rag doll and the creature's fist in his guts.

"Why?" Kal asked his voice quiet but with fury, he could never have imagined using it a few short moments ago.

Jaekelsson's response was just a grabbled sound of noise, Kal's grip on his throat was so tight that air let alone words could barely reach his lungs. Surprising upon realising this Kal loosened his grip slightly causing Harald Jaekelsson to gasp for much-needed air.

"Why?" Kal asked again, his voice sounding more desperate than before, a clear need to understand present on his face.

"Because I could." Jaekelsson snarled out.

What other reason was there? Harald Jaekelsson was strong and powerful; he could take what he liked, Lakstad was wealthy and famous, so of course, he raided it, it is what men do.

Kal's face went grim at the response, Jaekelsson then felt Kal's hand leave his gut and felt himself being lowered by his throat until he was face to face with Kal. Jaekelsson saw the bright flames in the god's eyes and prepared for his death, however, suddenly the fires died but his reprieve was short-lived.

Instead, he felt Kal's bloody hand on his face, then immense pressure as Kal's fingers and palm excruciatingly slowly crushed his skull. Despite his high tolerance for pain Harald Jaekelsson screamed, tears mixed with blood as Kal watched with a dark glint in his eye as he ended the man's life.

A sickening sound cracked the air as Kal's hand finally made a fist, one he quickly undid as he released the vile content that strained his hand. The lifeless form of Harald Jaekelsson dropping to the floor, as let go of the deceased man's throat.

He stared at it for a while unsure what to do now, Kal had stopped the leader of the raiders and now that leader was dead, yet the rage, the anger was still there. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of armour, he turned and saw a young man, a boy really standing off to his side, he was wearing the same armour and colours of the raiders.

Kal's eyes started glowing, but the man instead of running or attacking just dropped his sword and raised his arms.

"WAIT NO, I'm not like them, I was protecting the children." The boy warrior begged, tears forming in his eyes.

There was a few moments of silence before Kal answered, his rage still washing over him.

"I do not care." His voice was harsh and brutal, as his eyes flared.

"Wait! Kal he is telling the tru-" The newcomer's voice was cut off by Kal who just swatted the arrival away with the back of his hand, sending the figure crashing into a building.

"STAY OUT OFF THI-." Kal's voice was cut off as he saw who he had struck.

The body of Harald, Lagertha's adopted son and his student lay amongst a pile of rubble that Kal had sent him crashing into. He stood there stunned, as Aslaug ran to her fallen brother, her dress torn and covered in blood. She quickly threw herself to the ground and cradled her brother's face, she gasped with joy as he coughed, showing he was still alive.

"Aslaug I, I did not -" Kal started forward to offer aid but was stopped as Aslaug whirled around holding her brother's sword in her hands.

Aslaug was no shieldmaiden, the blade was almost too heavy for her, and it trembled in her grip, in other circumstances the sight of Aslaug with a sword would have made him laugh but not today, not here surrounded by the ruins of her home.

"STAY BACK!" She yelled her voice trembling just like the sword.

"Aslaug it's me," Kal whispered shocked at her fear, he took a step towards her.

"I SAID STAY BACK. YOU DID THIS, LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!" Aslaug yelled having found a well of courage.

The reality around Kal suddenly came crashing back to him as his rage left him, he looked around and saw the swathes his fiery vision had cut through Lakstad. They were worse than any damage the raiders had done, the destruction he had wrought was careless, brutal, and tore through everything in sight.

He suddenly felt his hands for the first time that night, he looked down and saw the gore which was his hands, they were a mixture of crimson and flesh. Blood combined with charred flesh clung to him and Kal could feel every speck, every molecule of flesh, and even the heat from those still warm.

As he looked up, he saw the faces of the survivors that were now gathering, there was no look of deliverance, no joy, no jubilation, just fear, fear of him.

It was that look, the look of fear Aslaug had, a person as close to Kal as his own family that convinced him that he needed to leave.

"HEIMDALL!" Kal's voice broke the terrible silence and Kal felt the great hues of the Bifrost engulf him.

He was soon faced with an even worse sight, that of his parents before him, who had clearly been summoned by Heimdall after Kal's departure and had evidently just been about to depart. A look of pure anger was etched on their faces as they stared at Kal's bloody form.

However, that look soon disappeared as they saw Kal's face it was a wash of pure heart-breaking agony and sorrow. Kal lifted his outstretched palms, blood dripping on the floor, his vision lingering on them.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I should have listened, I should have …." Kal broke down, falling to his knees.

A feeling of shame, rage, and sorrow overwhelmed him, as his heart started tearing him apart.

Frigga was the first to move, dropping to her knees and wrapping Kal in a motherly embrace, ignoring the blood and gore her son was covered in.

"Hush now, I am here, everything is alight. Everything is going to be alright." Frigga whispered softly to her son.

"I should have listened; I am so sorry." Kal just repeated as he broke down into his mother's embrace.

Odin just watched a look of great sadness on his face as he watched his youngest son break down at the mistakes he had made. Whilst he subtly slipped back a glowing green rock back into its protective case, thanking the Allfather's that he had no need for it.

"Everything will be okay, my son" Odin's voice was soft and gentle.

Nothing would be the same again.

Chapter 15 – The Marvellous 90's (1)

(Asgard – Royal Palace – 1989) 

Kal was on duty as he often was these days, he was currently guarding the Weapon's Vault hovering above the structure that held some of the most dangerous items in existence. In truth, the Vault was well protected and did not need Kal, but he had long ago volunteered to guard the Vault, mostly for the solitude that it brought.

Since the events of Midgard Kal often found himself wanting quiet moments of solitude, not all the time but on occasion, he just wanted to be alone for a little while.

As a result of Midgard, he had also thrown himself into his duties and responsibilities, becoming to many the very model of a Prince of Asgard. He attended every meeting he was supposed to, appeared at every event that required his presence and went without question anywhere his father sent him. For the past thousand years whilst Thor had been the champion of Asgard, Kal had become his father's right hand.

A fact that did not go unnoticed, especially by his father's court who quietly whispered about their princes when they thought no one was listening. Kal cared not for the quiet whispers and did not like the comparison's others were making between him and his brothers, mainly when they talked about succession.

His actions had garnered him many admirers at court and whilst some found him stoic and reserved at times, all would admit that he was more responsible than Thor and Loki.

The two elder princes whilst loved by the people left much to be desired by the court and aristocracy.

Thor was charming, a born warrior, beloved by the common people and warriors of Asgard for his easy-going nature, victories he had won, and there was not a person on Asgard that did not respect Thor's strength. He was just not the most reasonable man, whilst Thor was not inattentive in his duties, the past thousand years had turned Thor even more rash and headstrong with many finding the Crown prince a little too hotblooded for their liking.

Whilst Loki had done little to improve his reputation in the past Millennium. Kal greatly loved Loki as he was one of the few people that could make him laugh but Loki was also vindictive, condescending and deceitful. Kal could excuse the odd prank, but Loki was a constant source of headaches and Kal found a lot of his duties were following his brother around cleaning up Loki's messes. Said messes were usually loud, very disruptive and the reason hardly anyone at court, except his family, could stand Loki.

All of which left Kal in the unamiable position of being liked and respected more by the court than either of his brothers. Whilst Kal could not care less about the court's opinion of him, it did at times create tensions between the brothers which none of them ever really acknowledged.

"My Prince." Kal's ponderings were cut off by the sound of a guard that entered int the weapons vault.

"Yes?" Kal responded lowering himself so that he was hovering just above the ground in front of the guard.

"Your father has summoned you." The guard gave a graceful bow.

Kal merely nodded and floated past the guard landing at the top of the stairs striding through the vault's great doors. As he walked through the corridors of the Palace, he gave nods of his head to everyone that he passed, all of whom gave him deep respectful bows, he also fixed a polite smile on his face.

It did not take him long to reach his father who was currently in the Throne room, however, Odin was not sat upon Hlidskjalf instead his father was standing around a small table surrounded by a small group of advisors, including his mother. Curiously Kal noted that neither Thor nor Loki was present, the group consisted only of his father's closest advisors all of whom were taking in hushed tones, instead of the usual yelling they resorted to.

"Father, you summoned me?" Kal question was more to announce his presence than actually question his father.

"Yes, my son, come here." Odin gestured with his hand.

Kal did as he was bid, moving swiftly over to the table that he could see now was projecting an image of a crash site in a valley he was not familiar with. The crashed ship was a strange configuration and was not one that he recognised, nor could understand the strange energy readings that the projection was also displaying.

"When were you last on Midgard?" Odin asked his son; his voice was quiet and his eyes transfixed on the projection.

At the mention of Midgard Kal's mind suddenly conjured up unpleasant images that he quickly cast aside not wanting to dwell on those memories. Despite disliking Midgard for the memories, it brought up and avoiding it as much as could he, Kal had returned to the planet in the centuries following Lakstad although he never lingered long.

His mind filtered through all of his memories at near the speed of light until he reached the most recent memory, he had of Midgard, which caused him to groan. It was when he had to clean up one of Loki's messes, that had been caused when Loki had lost a bet to Thor.

Loki had hijacked a plane, he believed they called it and stolen a great deal of Midgardian money, he had called himself something stupid D. B Copper? Cobbler? Something like that, it had taken Kal a week on Midgard to make sure no one had realised what had really happened, thankfully the Midgardians just assumed it was an ordinary crime.

"About two decades ago," Kal stated quickly, not wanting to go into details as he had never actually told his parents about Loki's actions.

Odin great eye lingered on Kal for a moment who just gave his best friendly smile and tried not to look his father in his eye. An action that Odin did not miss and squinted at Kal trying to discern what his son was hiding.

"Hmmm. Very well, I need you to go to Midgard and investigate this crash site." Odin gestured to the image before, deciding not to press for details for the moment.

"How long ago did this occur? And what am I looking for when I get there?" Kal asked, whilst he personally did not understand why the crash site would be so interesting, he had learnt the hard way to trust his father's judgement.

"It happened yesterday, and you are looking for the source of this energy signal." His mother was the one to reply indicating the strange readings the projection was showing. "Also anything else that should not be on Midgard."

"Okay, do you want to get Thor and Loki?" Kal asked wanting to confirm his suspicion as to why his brothers were not present.

"No, you will be going alone and not taking the Bifrost. We need this done quietly and your brother are not exactly subtle." Odin stated his voice calm and level as he turned his attention to Kal.

Kal nodded, a little surprised at his father's blunt yet honest statement, Thor was never one for subtly and Loki whilst he acted mysteriously often caused a lot of noise whenever he did anything.

"If I am not taking the Bifrost, how will I reach Midgard?" Kal asked hoping the answer was not what he was dreading.

"Dark Magic" Odin bluntly replied, causing Kal to internally groan, he really hated magic.

"I will see to that my son, as well you're clothing." Frigga gave her son a smile, which Kal appreciated but still felt dread at the use of Dark Magic.

(Midgard – North America – California – 1989)

Kal's arrival on Midgard was uncomfortable.

Whilst travelling via the Bifrost was a harmonious blend of awe-inspiring sights and a feeling of euphoria, travel via the use of Dark Magic was unpleasant, to say the least. Dark Magic transportation was physically draining, very uncomfortable and one felt as if they were hurtling through a shattering mirror whilst riding a boat that was sinking in tumultuous waters.

However, Kal true discomfort was the garments his mother had dressed him in, he was very uncomfortable in the restrictive Midgardian clothes. He was dressed in a plain white shirt, with a blue tie and blue a three-piece suit his mother had called it, which consisted of a jacket of sorts which was an item of very restrictive clothing that rode up whenever he lifted his arms.

He was also wearing a pair of black-rimmed spectacles which his mother had enchanted, she said was to hide his features and make him more unnoticeable when combined with the clothes. Kal straightened out the ridiculous garments and picked up Gram which was disguised as something the Midgardians called an umbrella.

He began his walk towards the crash site, which was only a little while away, he could have flown there in a second but did not want to risk altering anyone to presence. As he crested the ridge he saw the crash site, the mortals of Midgard were already present, having set a premiere and a sea of men dressed like him along with others in green uniforms were inspecting the wreckage.

Kal focused forcing the world to slow down to an incalculable crawl, he looked around and saw that everything had become still, the mortals below him were now statues, the wind was still and he could even see the rays of sunlight halting in the sky. Stratified Kal moved cautiously as he went, knowing full well the damage he could do with even the slight miss-step at the speeds he was going at, Midgard was a very fragile world.

He surveyed the area as he went, whilst everything seemed consistent with a simple crash there were inconsistencies, that only Kal with his sight could see. The scene was almost too perfect and on closer inspection, he could tell someone had been here before the Midgardians, someone who had altered certain details to cover up their presence.

Despite that detail, there was little there to interest him, the area was nearly entirely destroyed as a result of the crash and he could not pick up any signs of the strange energy readings he had been sent to investigate. Kal eventually reached the main body of the aircraft or what was left of it, it was mostly obliterated by an explosion originating in what he guessed had been the engine core.

Kal knelt down and allowed time to resume its normal pace so that he could pick up the pieces for closer inspection without damaging them. He was immediately greeted by the noise of the mortals around him, none had noticed him suddenly appearing and him in his current garments they must have believed he was one of them.

The item that piqued his interest was a small calendar device it appeared to be the remains of a small intake valve, by itself it was not wholly interesting being clearly made from Midgardian materials however it was the design that Kal was concerned about, it was Kree. Kal examined another piece of the wreckage of the engine, although badly burned it was the same again, Midgardian materials yet clearly Kree design.

Although as he examined more pieces, he could see that the Kree design was modified, it seemed to be a combination of Kree, Midgardian design and something else that he could not recognise. Leaving the pieces where he found them Kal, started scanning the area for signs of Kree, it didn't take him long although there wasn't much left he could see finite traces of Kree blood and traces of a polymer used in Kree technology.

"Excuse me who are you?" The voice came from one of the few women in the sea of men.

Kal observed her she was a slender brunette with the tips of her hair dyed red, she carried herself like a professional and her attitude was nonsense. She had her hands on her hips and it was clear from her posture she was used to being obeyed without question.

"I am here to inspect the wreckage, ma'am." Kal readjusted the glasses he was wearing and tried to sound respectful.

The woman's eyes focused on him for a few moments, scrutinising every inch of his appearance and it was clear she knew something was off about him. However, before she could react another agent approached from her side, getting her attention.

"Agent Hand, we need you to sign these requisition orders, so that we can start moving the craft." The other shield agent approached her displaying a clipboard and several dozen pieces of paper.

"In a second, now wh-" Agent Hand turned back to the man she had been questioning only to find him gone.

She whirled around and scanned the area trying to locate him in the sea of faces but could spot nothing out of the ordinary.

"Agent Hand?" The other agent was looking at her with concern as she kept turning her head scanning the area.

"Seal the area, double-check everyone's ID's now and I want a full inventory of every piece of this aircraft now." Agent Hand turned abruptly on her heels and strode straight to the command tent.

Unfortunately for Agent Hand Kal was already away by the time she had blinked let alone ordered a lockdown of the crash site. He had returned to the infinitely slow world he could enter to disappear whilst the woman had turned away briefly, he was impressed that she had noticed him at all given his mother's enchantment, Midgardians were more observant than he remembered.

Once he was away Kal spent a few more hours quietly observing the crash site and surrounding area from a distance but could discern nothing more than possible Kree involvement, whatever had created the energy disturbance was long gone.

Kal braced himself and signalled for his mother to return him to Asgard, with him already cursing as the Dark Magic overcame him.

With his return to Asgard Kal delivered what information he had found, which whilst troubling was hardly conclusive. Nothing he had found had proven anything other than that a Kree might have been on Midgard, but nothing definitive.

"So, you found nothing to explain the energy readings?" Odin asked whilst he stroked his chin after listening to Kal's report.

"Nothing, I believe it came from the engine of the craft but that has been destroyed so nothing remains," Kal admitted giving a slight shrug and sigh in defeat.

"You believe the Kree were involved?" This time it was his mother who asked the question.

"Possibly, it is hard to tell there might have been a Kree, and I believe there were, but it is possible the Midgardians might have just found a Kree craft and tried to recreate it, the crash just being a result of them not understanding the technology. However, it is clear someone was there before the Midgardians showed up." Kal gave his opinion honestly something his parents appreciated.

"Very well, I shall send an ambassador to the Kree to remind them of our treaties. We shall also keep a closer watch on Midgard." Odin commanded, a look of resolve appearing in his eyes.

Kal nodded and when his father clearly had no further need of him, he departed the throne room swiftly, heading to his room.

"Interesting meeting, what could you and father be whispering about so intensely?" Loki asked he was currently leaning against a statue at the side of the corridor Kal was walking down.

"Brother, I thought snooping was beyond you." Kal quipped with a smile, that Loki returned.

"Not snooping, just curious is all. Thor was looking for you, went to spar and I found it interesting that no one knew where you were." Loki grinned his eyes glinting with a devious intent Kal knew well.

Kal just sighed and shook his head at Loki's loaded statement.

"No great conspiracy brother just doing an errand for father was all." Kal waved off Loki's suspicions.

"Errands? Indeed." Loki just looked at his brother with curiosity but when Kal's smile did not falter he shrugged. "Oh well, sounds tedious I wish you luck with them, want to grab a drink?"

"Loki it's noon." Kal chuckled at his brother, Loki was ever the hedonist.

"I know it's why I am only suggesting drinks. We can get some companions after dinner." Loki grinned as he wrapped an arm around his much taller younger brother.

Kal just chuckled and let Loki drag him off to have some much-needed fun, needing to clear the memories that a trip to Midgard always brought up.

(Asgard – Royal Palace – 1995)

Six years had passed since Kal's covert trip to Midgard and in that time little had changed. His father had ordered a closer watch on Midgard, but Heimdall's great sight had seen nothing requiring intervention, and his father's envoy to the Kree made little headway.

The Kree had merely denied any involvement, claiming ignorance of anything happening on Midgard and without direct proof to the contrary there was little Asgard could do. So, the incident merely became another dispute between the two peoples that added to the long-standing tensions between the two people.

Kal for his part had just merely carried on with his duties as before and largely put the incident out of his mind. He was currently overseeing the training of the Einherjar and was joined by Sif who was finishing up showing several raw recruits basic drills.

"They are not bad, defiantly improving," Kal commented giving Sif a supportive nod, as she returned to his side.

"Well, when you start out as completely useless there is nothing but room for improvement." She stated bluntly gesturing at the boys she had been training.

Kal chuckled at Sif's harsh words, despite her cold demeanour Kal knew she cared and was a very warm person once you got past the many, many layers she hid behind. Looking at her however always made Kal a little sad, he remembered when she was much warmer and laughed more freely, he didn't think he had heard Sif laugh since Haldor had died.

Haldor there was a name Kal had not thought of in a long time, his closest and perhaps his greatest friend, Sif's first love and the man he could always rely on. Kal gently pushed those thoughts away, Haldor was gone now and whilst he enjoyed the memories of his friendship, he was not overly fond of remembering what immediately followed them.

"Your Highness, the King has summoned you to an emergency meeting." The voice belonged to a servant who had scrambled into the trainyard, giving a clumsy bow as he arrived.

Kal turned to face Sif who simply gave a sharp nod and bluntly said "GO"

Not waiting to be asked twice Kal exploded off the ground and flew through the air to the Throne room, the only place his father ever held emergency meetings. His swift arrival caused a brief torrent of air to blow through the room forcing his father to quickly place a hand on the stack of papers on the table and his mother to re-correct her hair.

"I wish you would not do that." Odin chuckled at his son's sudden arrival.

"Sorry, I was told it was an emergency." Kal looked ruefully at his father, apologising for the mess he almost always made when entering a room at speed.

"It is, a Skrull ship has crashed on Midgard, and we have detected a Kree signal, although we could not tell who it was from," Frigga spoke in her usual commanding tone.

She waved her hand and a projection of an area of Midgard appeared, it was the landmass that he had previously visited, called North America.

"What do you wish me to do? Take a company of Einherjar, track down the Skrulls and the Kree that sent the message." Kal turned to his parents, seeking instructions.

"No, we are not there yet. I want you to go to Midgard, find the Kree and Skrulls, discover why they have violated the sovereignty of the Nine Realms and then bring them here." Odin commanded striking Gungnir for effect.

"Whilst you do that, I will be heading to Hala to speak to the Kree directly." Frigga's voice was calm yet the glint in her eye conveyed her displeasure, Kal actually felt sorry for the Kree that had to deal with his mother.

"Where should I begin my search?" Kal asked looking at the vast continent that was being displayed.

"Here in this region, the Midgardians call Cal-i-fornia. We do not wish the Midgardians to interfere, so we require discretion. DO not let them know you are here, do this quietly my son." Odin gave Kal a proud smile.

"I will leave at once before the trail can go cold. I will contact you when I have the interlopers." Kal gave a quick bow and started his departure for Midgard.

A subtle glow shimmered over Kal as his royal armour was replaced by the Midgardian garbs, he had worn previously, Gram transforming once more into an umbrella he held tightly at his side. He was about to make a swift departure when a voice he was greatly familiar with stopped him in his tracks.

"Kal! Brother, what are you wearing?" Thor's voice was boisterous as ever as he came bounding down the corridor towards his little brother.

"Father is sending me to Midgard, I wish I could explain but I do not have the time. Sorry, brother" Kal offered the apology, with a pat on Thor's shoulder as tried to walk past his elder brother.

Kal however did not get far as Thor's hand suddenly on his shoulder and pulled Kal back around, Thor's usual jovial expression cracking as a look of concern replaced it.

"This is the first I am hearing of it. What is going on?" Thor stared at his brother, his eyes squinting slightly.

"A situation has occurred with Skrulls and Kree on Midgard, mother is going to Hala, and I am going to Midgard. Now, please I am sorry, but I really must go." Kal tried to gently pry Thor's hand off him, but Thor's grip stayed tight.

"I should have been told, I am the Crown Prince and Champion of Asgard." Thor's voice although calm sounded arrogant and prideful.

Both of which Kal was familiar with coming from Thor and usually would be able to handle delicately but he was pressed for time and in no mood to soothe, his elder brothers ruffled feathers. He indelicately knocked away Thor's hand and turned to leave.

"Thor, talk to father I need to go." Kal sighed, however as he made his leave Thor's hand gripped his elbow.

"WAIT, It is my duty to defend the realms, let me talk to father then we go together," Thor spoke harshly and his voice would have sounded commanding if his request wasn't so petty.

"Thor let go, talk to father if you want but I have to go" Kal was trying his best to keep himself calm, which was difficult when dealing with Thor's wounded pride.

"Careful little brother, I am the Crown Prince and Champion of Asgar-" Thor's patience was fast diminishing as his great pride felt slighted.

"THEN ACT LIKE IT." Kal pulled his arm easily from his brother's grip, his own patience snapping.

"Excuse me?" Thor was in shock at his little brother's harsh words.

He and Kal had started to butt heads more often in the past few centuries, largely as a result of their father seemingly favouring Kal for every task he required to attend to, whilst Thor despite being the elder was only sent on simple errands or given boring administrative duties on Asgard. However, Kal had never snapped at him like that, his little brother was sometimes sullen and liked to be alone but Kal had never been abrasive with him.

"Thor, I love you, but Allfather's help me, I do NOT care about your pride, we can talk about this when I get back, but go sulk to father if you must. I have duties to tend to, just like you SHOULD be." Kal's voice was harsh, and his breaths laboured as he tried to keep calm.

Kal whirled around and left not waiting for Thor's response as he quickly departed towards the Bifrost not wishing to waste more time when their actual matters to attend to over Thor's wounded pride.

(Midgard – North America – California – 1995)

Kal was always amazed about the changes that occurred on Midgard especially in such short periods of time, as he observed the urban metropolis the Mortals had built.

In truth, he had seen truly little of Midgard since his time in Lakstad and his last visit was confined to the crash site, the last time he had truly visited Midgard they were still using horses and wooden boats, so he was a bit overwhelmed. Mostly by the sheer noise, amount of people and filth which was a modern Midgardian society, everything was dirty, and they seemed to be polluting the atmosphere without care.

Everywhere he turned there were Midgardians, and everywhere they were there was some form of trading going on, street vendors trying to sell things or large buildings packed with rooms selling things to people.

Kal crossed the street to a wide tarmacked area that had a number of small shops around its perimeter as well as a theatre of some sort, the area was off cordoned off by a strange tape demanding no one cross it. Kal gently waved his hand over it and finding no spell or technology simply pushed past the strange tape barrier, Midgardians are strange.

What interested him was a building that had a hole in the roof. The sign above the damaged store read Blockbuster Video.

Kal scanned the arena with the sense to pick up a trail, there were few traces left yet he could still detect Kree polymers and high energy ionic discharge, clearly from a weapon that the Midgardians could not yet produce. There was tape around the front of the store, same as the one he pushed passed and he could tell that the area had already been cleaned likely by the Midgardians.

"Hey! You get can't be around here the shopping plaza is currently closed" Kal turned to look at the man that was stepping out of a metal vehicle.

He was wearing a uniform that said security officer on a patch on his shoulder, he also seemed to be overweight and very unhealthy for a man tasked with the protection of others.

"I am seeking the person who did this?" Kal turned to face the man whilst pointing at the damaged store.

"Buddy look, I have a long and crazy day, so please can you just leave, before I remove you." The man moved forward and placed his hand on a very small weapon at his side.

"I mean you no harm, please I am just seeking the person who caused this damage." Kal lifted his right hand to show he was no threat, his left holding the disguised Gram.

"Okay pal, you need to start walking. HEY," The man approached Kal and placed a hand on him, which when Kal with his right hand lift the man up by his shirt.

"Please, just tell me who did this and where they went. Then I shall leave." Kal tried to sound friendly, which was slightly defeated by him holding a 200-pound man up like it was nothing.

"Okay JESUS! It was some chick, wearing a Laser Tag outfit, I don't know where she went, she ran off when the government suits showed up and the shooting started." The man panicked, internally thinking he needed to get another job.

"Chick? The individual was a chicken." Kal asked confused, the Midgardian was talking nonsense.

"No, chick as in a girl, a woman. Please can you put me down?" The man's voice was going high and swallowed.

"This woman, describe her and who was shooting at her?" Kal lowered the man slightly but still did not let go.

"I don't know who shot at her, I hit the deck when that happened. Um, she's blonde, like 5'7, wearing a weird leather suit with a star on its front, uh she was kind of hot." The security guard cringed at his poor description.

"The woman she was blue, yes?" Kal asked, hoping to confirm his suspicion, the Star sounded like a Kree uniform.

"Uh no, white uh Caucasian." The guard responded more than a little confused by the question.

"Did she identify herself? Kal sighed in frustration, clearly, the Kree was masking herself, it was why he couldn't pick up any fully Kree scents, just a strange mixture of human and Kree.

"Uh she said her name was Vers, Kree or Kai Star force something like that." The guard stated quickly hoping to get Kal off him.

"Thank you, you have been most helpful." Kal gently placed the man back on the floor and sorted out the man's uniform before he abruptly turned and left, leaving the guard confused. Who instead of sticking around promptly got into his vehicle and left.

Kal was busy thinking, he headed over to where there were clear signs of an energy weapon had been fired, a small crater had been blasted into the side of the roof and leapt up to the roof of the building to examine the area more closely.

'A Kree Starforce agent was on Midgard, disguised as a mortal woman, Midgardians forces had arrived to investigate. Then someone, likely a Skrull had attacked her and the two had fled, but where?' Kal's mind raced as he put together the limited information, he had available to him.

Despite what many believed Kal could not just instantly find someone with his abilities he needed to know what to look for and even then, it would take time to search all of Midgard time he really did not want to waste.

Suddenly Kal spotted something from his place on the roof, it was a communication device clearly native, but it had been tampered with. He descended back down to the ground level and examined the device, it had been modified to interact with a Kree communication device, it was a patch job but still impressive.

Kal examined the device closely, taking it apart and he quickly found what he was looking for, it was the transmission frequency the device was tuned to. Which to many people without advanced tracking devices would not be very helpful but to Kal's hearing, it was as good as a beacon in the night.

He quickly looked around and seeing no one around to observe him took to the skies, gaining altitude faster than anything else on Midgard. He levelled off once he was high enough that he could see nearly the whole continent below him, and he started to listen. A communication device even not transmitting still gave off a small resonant frequency that Kal could track.

The flood of noise hit him in waves as he searched through the near-infinite noise of Midgard for the frequency that would lead him to the Kree interloper. It took him longer than he wished but then he suddenly heard the soft steady repeating hum he was looking for, opening his eyes he shot off.

It was coming from a dwelling near a large settlement located next to a large river on the North American continent, Kal hoped he could get there before the Kree could do any harm to the peoples of Midgard.

(Earth - Planet C-53 - Rambeau Residence- New Orleans, Louisiana)

Carol Danvers was having a difficult day, scratch that she was having an impossible day.

She was not sure what was causing her more difficulty the fact that she had discovered everything she thought was true was a lie or that the people she trusted to have her back were just using her or maybe it was the not so little problem that she had basically been participating in genocide.

There was a naïve part of her that wanted to disregard everything the Skrull General Talos had told them, to instead go back to believing everything she now knew to be true was a lie that Skrulls were still the bad guys and this was all an elaborate deception, but that was not who she was and she wouldn't be caught on the wrong side again.

This had led to their present circumstance after having processed everything that had happened, she, Nick Fury, Maria Rambeau, her daughter and the Skrulls where sat around the dining room table as Talos asked for her help.

"If only you knew the importance of it to me. I just need your help decoding the coordinates to Mar-Vell's Lab." Talos' voice was quiet and he almost sounded like he was pleading.

"Those weren't coordinates. They're state vectors." Carol answered kindly.

"For orbital position and velocity…" Fury clarified however he began to trail off as he heard what sounded like a clap of thunder above them.

"It's not the season for thunder." Maria too looked out the window it was night and there was hardly a cloud in sight.

Three sharp knocks rang out as everyone's attention turned to the front door, Carol placing herself in front of the young Monica, whilst Fury's hand went to his side piece and Talos backed up slightly rising from his seat.

"You expecting company?" Fury turned to Monica who just shook her head, he then turned to Talos who also just shook his head, causing Fury to grimace and Carol to ready herself.

However, instead of an attack, three more sharp knocks rang out as whoever was at the door again tried to get their attention. Causing Carol to turn to Fury and she quietly pointed to herself then the door, earning a nod from Fury who now withdrew his weapon.

Carol moved slowly to the door, whoever was at the door knocked again this time louder, the door shook slightly this time as the person was clearly becoming impatient. Just as she had done last time she opened the door carefully, ready to spring into action.

She was greeted by a very unexpected sight, it was a man wearing a blue suit, black-rimmed glasses, and was carrying an umbrella. Despite his non-threatening attire, Carol was still wary knowing looks could be deceiving which combined with the fact that she had to tilt her head back to look at the man's face, he towered over her and no clothing amount of clothing in the world could hide the man's musculature.

"Greetings, I am looking for a Vers?" The man spoke politely but his accent was weird clearly not American, it sounded almost European but not quite, he had a disarming and charming smile.

"What do you want with her?" Carrol asked and she felt she had made a mistake somehow as the man suddenly squinted at her.

He looked her up and down quickly as if he was scanning her like a machine Carol felt very uncomfortable and was about to respond when the man's hand was suddenly around her throat. He lifted her up off the floor with ease and Carol immediately started having trouble breathing.

"Your presence here Kree is a violation of the sovereignty of the Nine Realms, and you WILL tell me what you are doing on this planet." The man demanded, his hand tightening on her throat.

The Man's voice had gone harsh his friendly smile was replaced by a snarl that conveyed disgust and almost hatred, especially as he spat out the world Kree like it left a bad taste in his mouth.

Carol's brain went into override mode as adrenaline flooded her system, her mind focusing on the sole aspect to protect Maria, Monica and the others, she needed to get free, but the man's grip and focus were so tight she dare not raise her arms in case he just snapped her neck.

"AUNTIE CAROL!" Monica's voice rang out behind her, her mother Maria quickly running in to grab her after she had gotten loose.

The man's focus shifted towards Monica his expression becoming puzzled either at the arrival of a child or her calling Auntie Carol possibly both. His brief shift in focus caused his grip to slacken and allowed Carol the opening she needed, raising her hand she left off the most powerful Photon Blast she could, causing the Photon Inhibitor on her neck to flare up and keep her power level under control.

The man went flying causing her to slump to the floor as he was forced to release her, she raised her head and watched as he travelled nearly the entire distance of the driveway before crashing, creating a crater in the earth. He had dropped his umbrella that instead of flying off, went directly to the floor making a strange metallic sound like a sword digging into the wood, and stay perfectly upright digging into the ground next to her.

She breathed a sigh of relief and started to get back up but paused for a second as a blur of motion happened out of the crater, a brief look of confusion was on her face before she too was flying.

Carol crashed onto her back, the man having reappeared in the doorway and thrown her out of the house into the front yard, before she could register what was happening, she felt an immense pressure on her chest. The man had placed one knee on her, pinning her to the ground and proceeded to grab her hair with his left-hand whilst making a fist with his right, raising her head slightly he proceeded to slam his fist into her face repeatedly.

Her vision of the world became one of bright blindingly light followed by a blur that created pain, as her attacker started to pummel her senseless, his fist striking her so fast that she could not truly register the time between blows.

Carol was starting to blackout which she knew she could not afford the man had attacked her she had no idea what he would do to the others. Using her remaining focus before she went unconscious she managed to place her fist on his stomach and blast him upwards with another massive blast, sending into the heavens like a rocket.

She smiled as she watched him spin in the air as he kept going up, but her smile disappeared as the man suddenly stopped in the air and started hovering in the air.

"Huh, that's new" She stated tilting her head slightly in genuine curiosity at her now flying attacker.

Whilst now several hundred plus meters above her Kal corrected himself in the air to face back towards the ground.

"Ow, so that's new." Kal looked down in genuine curiosity at the white-skinned Kree he was fighting.

The strange energy blasts she was hitting him with felt like high-density photons, which mays have been a problem but there was not enough power to truly hurt him, knocking off balance when surprised yes, but hurt him no. What was concerning though is that he hadn't seen a weapon when he had scanned her and still couldn't see one. She was also more durable than she should have been, a single one of his punches could have knocked out a full-fledged Accuser, but they had hardly hurt her.

Kal needed to end the fight fast, the Kree's presence at this Mortal's dwelling was dangerous and once she was subdued, he would see what harm she had done to these Midgardians. Kal leant back and then soared towards the ground, his punch however missed as the Kree woman blasted herself out of the way, using her photon blasts to skid out of the crater they had made.

However, Carol's reprieve was short-lived, as Kal again seemingly appeared in her path he grabbed her mid-flight and throw her across the front yard crashing through several trees, towards Monica's garage. Just before she struck it, Kal again appeared in her path and pain exploded in her chest as Kal punched her into the floor, shattering the earth as she struck.

Kal was reeling up for another punch when he felt small metal objects striking him which were accompanied by loud bangs, turning he saw a Midgardian male firing at him with a weapon.

Fury ever the marksmen was unloading every single round he had into the assailant's head however frustratingly it was having no impact and didn't even seem to be bothering Carol's would-be attacker. As he heard the familiar click signalling the gun was now empty, he reached for another magazine but never retrieved it as Kal with blinding speed ripped the gun from his hand and tossed it away.

"This is not your concern, whatever this woman has told you she is -" Kal was cut off as he again knocked back.

This time however he turned at the last second and had crossed his arms in front of his face, Carol's blast hitting his raised arms. She continued her assault and whilst Kal was not being damaged he was skidding backwards, the force of her blast just enough to move him as he was now prepared for, she was forced to relent when her Photon Inhibitor cut her off.

The two titans stood a fair distance apart, the house to one side of them.

Carol lifted her hands, she was still in good condition Kal's assaults had winded her but didn't seem to be making a mark, challenging whatever power she could preparing to unleash hell on her attacker.

Kal for his part was getting frustrated, his father wanted the Kree alive to question but Kal was struggling to subdue her. Whilst she was more powerful than an ordinary Kree, he was still certain he could beat her he just didn't know how much strength to use and with Midgardians around he didn't want to go full-on in case he levelled the surrounding area.

Kal's eyes began glowing red deciding that if Physical strikes would not work maybe his heat vision would and he could cut off a limp to immobilise her.

"Auntie Carol!" Monica appeared pushing through the doorway, her mother right behind her lifting her up to drag her back inside.

Carol was about to move towards them to protect them from the man attacking her, but before she could the man was suddenly in front of them, his body positioned to place him directly between Carol and them. His whole body posture and positioning told Carol one thing he was actively trying to protect them from her.

"Take the child inside!" Kal commanded his eyes still glowing at Carol.

"Wait!" Carol raised her hands cancelling the blast she had been generating hoping to defuse the situation.

"Careful Kree, I will not allow you to harm these people, they are under my protection." Kal's voice was hard and full of righteous fury as he squared himself to attack.

"I am not a Kree, and I am not harming these people. My name is Carol Danvers, I am human, and I am trying to save lives." Carol spoke softly as not to sound threatening, and kept her hands raised.

Kal said nothing his eyes glowing, his face and body language told Carol clearly he did not believe her, believing it to be some kind of trick. His knuckles cracked as he created a fist and was ready to strike again when suddenly Talos walked through the door in his natural Skrull form.

"She is telling the truth. I am -" Talos had his hand outstretched as not to seem threatening.

"General Talos, I know who you are, this woman is a Kree Starforce operative, likely here to kill you, whatever she has told you is a lie." Kal turned his head to face Talos but did not move from his spot.

"She's not! Auntie Carol is helping him!" Monica screamed trying to tear away from her mother's grasp.

Monica's plea caused Kal to turn and look at her, his vision detected no deceit and as he turned to face Carol, she was still stood there her hands raised, not using the obvious distraction to attack as a Kree would. Doubt crept into his mind, his scan of her had shown her Kree DNA but it was mixed with Midgardian DNA and her strange powers were certainly not Kree.

"If you stand down, we explain everything." Talos offered.

Kal slowly uncurled his fist and stepped back from Monica, Maria and Talos, he was still tense but he was clearly willing to listen now.

"Good, see where all friends here." Talos lowered his hands and nodded at everyone.

"Who are you? You're not with the Kree." Carol questioned, lowering her own hands.

Kal turned to her his eyes examining her for a second before he breathed out a deep breath trying to calm himself down after the fight.

"I am not with the Kree. My name is Kal Odinson, Prince of Asgard, a Protector of the Nine Realms and I really need an explanation, as your presence here threatens to unleash war." Kal spoke bluntly his voice still hard.

His statement caused the area to go quiet, for Talos and Carol out of shock at who had arrived, for everyone else it was because they had no clue as to what Kal's statement meant. After several awkward moments of silence, Maria finally spoke.

"I'm going to make coffee"