Chapter 46 – Not my Ex!  

(Death Valley - Eastern California – January 3rd 2014)

The world slowed for a moment as a vortex forced itself into existence, the air appeared to turn to glass, shimmering and swirling with almost sentient intent. Then, like a mirror shattering, the shards of air spilled forth causing two figures to appear from its depth, one of whom fell to their knees whilst the other stumbled only slightly. The portal immediately dissipated leaving only the hot sun of the desert to bear down on the two arrivals to Earth.

The one standing was a colossally tall woman wearing a vibrant green set of armour with golden highlights and black trimming, upon whose head sat a golden crown with several green jewels. Her look was completed by a large sword sheathed on her golden belt and long following golden cape. The second figure who was still kneeling was also wearing green but it was a simple dress with a meagre gold brooch pin. The dress was frayed at the edges and the once glorious green was faded as if it had not seen light nor care for centuries.

"Did you do your task, witch? Is this the Middle Realm of Yggdrasil, the realm of mortals where my beloved dwells?" The taller of the two figures spoke with a refined elegance as she cast her gaze over the dead wastelands.

"Yes, your majesty," The smaller figure pushed herself off of the ground, her voice nowhere near as respectful as her words. "Kal is here on Midgard, I suggest we -"

The taller woman viciously backhanded the smaller woman. "YOU will suggest nothing. the Supreme Sovereign, scion of the Imperial House of the Blood Royale, needs no advice from the likes of you."

As Lorelai picked herself up she wiped the trickle of blood that fell from her lip and a sneer appeared on her face. She bounded to her feet with fire in her eyes. She might have been greatly reduced from her former standing, but she was still Asgardian and powerful in her own right.

"Careful, your majesty…" Lorelai's voice took on a sly tone as she smirked at the taller, red-skinned, red-haired woman who had struck her. "Without my powers and skills, your presence here will be quickly detected and your beloved might not want to come with you."

The very tall powerful woman rounded on the smaller woman, her hand heading towards Lorelai's throat, but Queen Maxima stopped herself, her outstretched hand closing into a fist. Despite the Asgardian witch's impertinence, she was not incorrect. Maxima, although loath to admit, did require this pitiful creature's assistance if only for a short while.

"Very well, witch, I shall allow you to aid me, and… advise me in these matters," Maxima spoke down to the other woman while her face contorted as if the words she spoke were especially foul-tasting. "And in return, I shall keep my word and give you this world, as a vassal planet of the Almeracian Empire. But do not think this makes us equals in the faintest way."

"Of course not," Lorelai responded, rolling her eyes as she turned away from the arrogant warrior queen, looking around for signs of life. "Now, may I advise that we move from this place? If someone did detect our arrival, it would be best to be far from here"

"Very well," Maxima declared, pushing past Lorelai as she strode forward and scanned the horizon before stopping. A great orange hand was raised to seemingly point at nothing. "We shall head there."

"Where?" Lorelai moved forward as well however even when squinting she could see nothing but desert, rocks and the haze of the heat.

"Rrrgh" Maxima groaned, feeling dirty having to explain herself to someone. "There is a settlement that way, where a few of the local peasantry reside. You would be able to see it if your ocular senses and genetic heritage were superior. Now, come and prove your worth."

Maxima did not wait for Lorelai to respond before starting the trek, completely unfazed by the deadly heat and scorching rays bearing down on the desolate landscape. Lorelai resisted the urge to hurl an insult or even a particularly heavy stone at the arrogant woman's head. She merely took a deep breath and then followed, if she could put up with Amora as a sister for a few centuries then she could deal with an entitled idiot for a brief while.

This didn't change the fact that she was currently regretting that she had managed to escape the dungeons of Asgard during the chaos of the dark Elf attack only to become ensnared by the Almeracian queen. She initially managed to evade detection for months using the lesser-known routes of the branches of Yggdrasil along with cloaking magic to avoid the detection of Heimdall. She knew that could not last though, so she had been forced to seek shelter somewhere. That somewhere was Almerac, and though she hated the place it had been her best and only real viable option. Less intolerable was the added benefit of Maxima providing her with the opportunity to remove Kal as a threat and gain a base to once more expand and become the queen she deserved to be.

The settlement in question was barely more than a roadside diner, motel and gas station, the only inhabitants visible were a young couple. They were exiting the motel as the man looked lovingly into the woman's eyes with one arm wrapped around her. His spare hand fished his keys from his pockets and with a flick of his fingers unlocked their car, which had Just Married on the back.

"Your chariot awaits Mrs. MacKenzie," Jimmy MacKenzie gave his bride a squeeze, which caused her to blush.

"Oh Jimmy, never change, you adorable goof," Nicole responded, giving her new husband a smack on the shoulder as she broke from his grasp and moved to the car.

"I pr-" Jimmy's voice suddenly stopped as his eyes snapped towards the two figures who walked across the dusty desert road.

"Oh my god! Are you all right?" Nicole moved from Jimmy to the two approaching women having looked in the direction her new husband had.

Her concern was caused by seeing Maxima's red skin which she thought to be the result of sunstroke and a harsh sunburn from the desert. Nicole moved forward fishing a water bottle out of her bag to give to the woman she thought was suffering from exposure but stopped in her tracks when she saw just how tall Maxima was. Nicole wasn't an overly short woman in fact she prided herself on her good posture and above-average height but the woman in front of her appeared to be double her size.

"Silence mortal, I have no need of your concern, only transportation from here," Maxima responded harshly brushing the woman aside, which although a minor act for the Queen of Almerac caused Nicole to be shoved violently to the floor.

Jimmy however made no move to help his bride. His gaze remained locked on Maxima and Lorelai, his eyes darting between the two of them. His brain was going haywire as he couldn't decide which of the women he should look at, both were the most stunning beauties he had ever met. As they approached, he fell to his knees having no other way to show his deference to the living embodiments of loveliness before him.

"And who are you, little mortal?" Lorelai asked with a smirk appearing on her face, reveling that her powers were working and she was being treated as she deserved, like the goddess she truly was.

"I am Jimmy Mackenzie, and I will do anything you ask" Jimmy stated his eyes moving to Lorelai devotion and love in his eyes.

"Of course, you will," Lorelai replied as the smirk on her face grew wider, whilst she knew part of his infatuation was caused by Maxima's powers, she could still feel her own power growing.

"You shall take us to this realm's capital or else to my beloved Kal's domain." Maxima stepped forward causing dirt to be kicked into the kneeling man's face.

Jimmy however didn't mind, desperate for any sign that these goddesses acknowledged his presence in any way. He made to answer his new goddess' order but was cut off by the sound of Nicole who had gotten back to her feet.

"Jimmy! What the hell are you doing?! This bitch pushed me into the dirt and you're kneeling in front of her!" Nicole stood up feeling like her shoulder was massively bruised and anger swelled in her seeing her husband prostrating himself. "Get up, we need to get out of -"

Nicole was cut off as she felt herself being lifted off the ground as an invisible force tightened around her neck. As she struggled to breathe, she looked down to see a purple haze shimmering around her neck whilst Maxima had lifted her hand up which was glowing with a similar purple light.

"Much better." Maxima gave a sigh of relief now that Nicole's insistent prattling was stopped and then looked at the man in front of her with a wide smile stretching across her face. "Mortal, how much do you love me?"

"With my entire being, my goddess," Jimmy sighed without hesitation, his eyes pure beacons of devotion as he stared into Maxima's alluring hypotonic golden eyes.

"Excellent, dispose of this annoyance then." Maxima flicked her hand forward causing Nicole to be thrown forward and land in a pile in front of Jimmy.

Before Nicole could register what was happening the love of her life had picked up a large flat rock nearby and smashed it into the side of her head. Jimmy MacKenzie became feral in his attack on his wife, his arms became a blur as he smashed the rock into Nicole's head repeatedly. He only stopped when he was covered in gore and nothing remained of the girl's head apart from a puddle of blood and bone.

"OH MY GOD!" A voice cried out causing Maxima and Lorelai to look from the spectacle their new servant was conducting to see that the young female owner of the motel had rushed out to see what the commotion was.

Lorelai hissed, it was just her luck that the owner was a woman and therefore immune to her powers. She was about to order Jimmy to dispatch the woman when Maxima merely strode forward stepping over Nicole's corpse. The large warrior queen's eyes flashed purple for a moment as they connected with the woman's. The motel owner who was about to scream and rush over to the gas station to find Phil and his gun, simply stood where she was, and the look of horror left her face replaced by pure devotion.

"Kneel, mortal, before your goddess," Maxima ordered, and she smiled with pure delight as the woman immediately obeyed falling to her knees whilst her eyes never left Maxima's face.

The interaction caused Lorelai to roll her eyes, whilst her own powers were limited to men, Maxima had the ability to influence anyone. However, a small smirk of pride crossed her face whilst Maxima's psionic abilities and pheromones allowed Maxima to manipulate others, they could be resisted by the strong-willed. Her powers however were much more potent if just limited in scope, the only man who could resist her was Kal, and that was because of that blasted sword of his.

"You, mortal, what is this place?" Lorelai snapped at Jimmy who had looked despondent that Maxima had taken an interest in another.

"This is Death Valley. My goddess," Jimmy replied, his face breaking out in a happy smile despite his face and clothes being splattered with his late wife's blood.

"A fitting name," Lorelai observed as she looked around the desolate and barren wasteland they were in. "Very well, we require passage from this 'Valley of Death' to a more bountiful land. Are you able to do that mortal?"

"Uh….. my car only seats two, my divine goddess." Jimmy winced as the words that would disappoint his love, left his mouth gesturing to his car he and his bride had been using for their honeymoon.

"My van can seat seven!" The motel owner suddenly called out, eager to prove her worth to the glorious woman in front of her. The woman gestured to a white minivan that was parked outside the motel. "It's a new model, I only purchased it last week and it has a full tank. I can take you anywhere you want to go."

"It seems no matter where one goes in the universe the women of any world are more resourceful than the men." Maxima smirked at the woman's offer of superior transportation, as she eyed the mortal in front of her. "What is your name mortal?"

"Kristen Wells, my goddess, and I will do anything you ask of me" The motel owner replied immediately, still kneeling on the ground before the alien red-skinned warrior queen.

"Very well you shall have the honour of transporting my august presence somewhere more fitting," Maxima ordered and without waiting for a response moved to the minivan Kristen had pointed to.

"Of course, it is my only desire," Kristen beamed with happiness as she scrambled to her feet pulling her keys from her pocket and unlocking the minivan.

"What about me, my goddess?" Jimmy asked despondently as Lorelai too moved to the larger vehicle, his face heartbroken as he had been upstaged by the motel owner.

"You?" Maxima laughed as she looked at the pathetic mortal standing next to the body of his bride. "One mortal is quite enough for now, and you are clearly among the weaker of your species. So it's best if you remove yourself before you contaminate your people's gene pool."

"I, I, can still serve yo-" Despite the harsh words Jimmy was still desperate to prove himself, he moved forward only to be halted by Maxima raising her hand up.

"I said remove yourself now," Maxima's eyes flashed purple again as her psionic abilities empowered her words.

Jimmy didn't even haste now that the command was reverberating inside his skull consuming his every thought and action. He moved quickly over to his car and smashed the window with his fist, desperate to show his worth to his goddess by completing his order. With the car window broken as his fist bleeding, he simply took a sharp shard of glass and placed it against his jugular.

"For you, my goddess," Jimmy whispered smiling, his eyes on Maxima as he shoved the shard of glass into his neck ending his life.

"Are you done?" Lorelai asked not bothering to look at Jimmy as she got into the back of the minivan and took a seat opposite Maxima.

"Oh yes, you mortal take us away," Maxima ordered Kristen who was getting into the front seat and starting the minivan for her goddesses. "I desire a place where we can gather men before we move onto the capital of this realm and find my beloved"

"Of course, my goddess, I know just the place," Kristen responded with a broad smile starting the van, as she headed to Rosie's Desert Oasis, the local biker hangout, where just such men her goddess required.

(Rural Minnesota – Late night - January 3rd 2014)

Binary sat on the icy hill on top of a snowbank as steam was rising off of her as snow gently drifted down melting as it made contact with her. Her helmet was off allowing her golden hair to flow freely for once, she looked barely older than 16 despite her athletic build and height. The incubation chamber had matured her and her brother to nearly the point of adolescence to allow them to become full members of Kryptonian society without being a burden. However, that was causing her current state of disobedience, there was no Kryptonian society, just HYRDA, their creators and the protocol she had to live by.

She let out a small sigh as she stared down with her sapphire blue eyes at the small town below her, wishing things could be different. Kal, the Asgardian prince, the most powerful being on the planet and her progenitor, was currently using his heat vision to de-ice the main road of the small town.

The scene caused her to smile, as, despite the freezing temperatures caused by the blizzard that had rolled in, the town folk were out in force to witness the flying man help them out. She had been discreetly following Kal for the past day once she had heard he was out helping people and had been amazed at the sheer amount of area he had covered. Although she knew the protocol her handlers had placed her on, she couldn't help but be fascinated by her progenitor and wanted to see him. Their brief interaction last year had only stoked her curiosity and she found herself slowly questioning the protocol that existed to keep her from Kal.

She smiled again when she saw a small child wrapped up in a thick coat and woollen mittens approach Kal and offer him a hot chocolate once he had finished clearing the snow. Kal took the drink and ruffled the young child's hair as a thank you causing the child to beam with pride. The action caused an unfamiliar feeling to swell in her chest, it was like a twinge in her heart, as if she wanted the brief action the child received.

"You know this is not to protocol," Patriot's clear, almost mechanical voice sounded out, causing Binary's moment of peace to be shattered.

"Nice to see you too, brother," Binary quipped sarcastically as she stood up grabbing her helmet from the ground.

As she turned she was greeted by her sibling standing ankle-deep in the snow, his dark armour being flecked with white as the snow landed on him. Even though he was masked she could tell he was looking at her disappointed, this was the fifth time in two months she had broken protocol. However, as she moved in to receive another lecture she noticed his head shift slightly and realised what we was actually looking at.

"It is imperative that-" Patriot started to give an order but was cut off when his sister interrupted him.

"You know we could go and meet him, like, really meet him." Binary offered a hint of longing in her voice as she stood next to her brother and turned to look at Kal as well.

"That's not pro…" Patriot started his reply only for his sister to interrupt him.

"Protocol, yeah I know" Binary shrugged her shoulders and then watched as Kal suddenly took to the air and departed, becoming a spec in the distance. "Don't you ever want to be more or do more than just follow orders?"

"It's what I was created for." Patriot replied immediately, although his tone held a sliver of doubt that caused his sister to look at him with narrow eyes. "… I do sometimes wonder about the progenitor, but at the end of the day, protocol exists for a reason. What is best is that we trust it, and comply."

Binary sighed as her eyes moved to the spot in the sky Kal had disappeared into, before a grin appeared on her face. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for interpretation."

"Interpretation?" Patriot asked hesitantly, not liking what his sister was implying.

"Yeah, the protocol says we should observe and study our future opponents, right?" Binary was perking up now and smiling to herself. "And Kal is a future opponent. So surely the best way to study him is to be with him?"

"I do not believe that is wha-" Patriot was about to shoot down his sister's argument reminding her that the protocol also forbade them going near Kal or any Avenger without specific orders.

"So, let's go and observe!" Binary shot into the sky without really listening to her brother's comment and started heading directly after Kal.

Patriot could do nothing else, but sigh and then cast his gaze quickly over the small American town that was still celebrating. Something stirred as he watched the families gather and share food and hot drink before remembering he had to go and stop his sister doing something stupid.

(The Bus – Southern California – Secret SHIELD Base)

"No, I'm fine," Olsen spoke into his phone as he headed down the corridor, looking at the watch on his left wrist which was pulsating red. "…I swear I'm fine, I'm not with him all the time…Yes, I will call you later…. I can't say that I'm at work…Darcy…Fine, fine, I loveyoutoo."

Jimmy half whispered half groaned the declaration of fondness down at the phone as he entered the conference room. He tried to avoid Skye's teasing gaze as he walked, quickly placing his phone into his pocket and trying to look professional. However, as he stood at the conference table he glanced at Skye who just raised her eyebrows at him knowingly causing him to wince slightly.

"Thanks for joining us, Agent Olsen." May was there to greet him, which surprised the younger agent who had expected to meet Coulson. "It's good to see you again, I've heard you've been kept busy."

"That's an understatement, Agent May, but the job is rewarding"

Olsen was glad to be working with this team again after a year of globetrotting and politicking. He loved working with Kal but the man and had believed he had formed a genuine friendship, but Kal had a way of stepping on toes. The Asgardian prince certainly subscribed to the school of seeking forgiveness over permission, but even though it caused him a headache it was well worth it for the good they were doing. The only issue he was currently having was the weird orders he was getting from HQ, directions to send updates about Kal directly to Agent Sitwell and briefings on his abilities to the members of STRIKE, it was getting strange.

"So, when's big blue getting here?" Skye asked, interrupting Olsen's thoughts causing him to chuckle.

She suddenly twinged when her scar ached, still not at 100% since being shot and given the GH.325 drug. The action was not unnoticed by Jemma, who just gave her teammate a pointed look and was about to argue for her to return to bed before Olsen's response stopped her.

"I've activated this, so it shouldn't be too long." Olsen explained tapping the watch which was pulsating with a steady red flash.

"That little thing can really get his attention?" Ward was sceptical that the timepiece that looked like it came out of a cereal box could summon one of the greatest beings on the planet.

"Oh yeah, the signal watch is a really cool invention; Howard Stark actually developed the prototype back in the 40's. We can't hear it, but it emits a unique ultrasonic signal that only Kal can hear." Olsen explained proudly displaying the spy gadget with a wide grin on his face. "Well, it does now since Fitz and Simmons miniaturised it and fixed the small technical issue we were having. Can you believe the original version was the size of a backpack?" Only one of those things piqued Ward's attention.

"Back up for a second. 'Small technical issue?' "

The two scientists in the room shifted under his gaze.

"Yes, well, the sonic pulse had the minor, tiny, little habit of causing all the windows in a few square miles to shatter." Simmons explained before her own sense of perfection forced her to add "-and cause people's grey matter to liquify in their skulls."

"BUT we fixed it, the key was using a unique resonating material called Tulanium. Sorted out the issue right away, so no head exploding." Fitz quickly clarified, earning a doubtful look from Ward and Skye who not so subtly slid away from the redhead and his wristwatch.

"Look sharp, people. We have a new mission." May's voice served to cut through the chatter like a knife. In her experience a distracted team was a dead team. "SHIELD detected a massive energy reading in the skies above the Nevada-California border."

"Where's Coulson?" Ward's question took Olsen by surprise since he had just assumed Coulson was busy. Apparently it was something more pressing.

"Taking personal time." May replied bluntly, giving Ward a quick glance before trying to push on with the briefing.

"That's a couple days straight," Ward's statement was phrased questioningly as he glanced at May wanting the full picture, causing her to glare at him.

"So what do we know about these energy readings?" Olsen cut in wanting to get back on track and prevent the throw down that seemed to be forming between May and Ward.

"These are the same readings Dr Foster and Dr. Selvig picked up in New Mexico and in London." Jemma replied having looked at the data whilst May and Ward had been arguing. "They herald the arrival of an Asgardian."

"Thor?" Fitz asked his face lighting up at the possibility of meeting his favourite avenger.

"Unlikely, my friend, my brother is currently on Kakaranthara, negotiating with He Whose Limbs Shatter Mountains and Whose Back Scrapes the Sun." Kal's voice caused everyone to turn and see that their resident Asgardian had arrived and was walking into the conference room. "He will not be back for at least 2 months, much to his and the Lady Jane's disappointment I'm sure."

The statement was also followed by the arrival of SHIELD's newest superpowered assets Binary and Patriot who were trailing behind him. Although their faces were covered it was clear that Binary was excited to be there whilst Patriot seemed to be on edge and kept shifting uncomfortably. Binary then waved at everyone and although no one could see it gave everyone a massive smile, whilst her brother just sulked.

"Sorry, we were in the area, heard the SHIELD alert and saw Kal heading here so we thought we'd drop by to lend a hand." Binary's voice was one of pure honesty and caused Skye, Simmons and Fitz's to smile at the young woman's enthusiasm.

"Okay then, any idea at all as to who is actually coming for a visit?" Ward asked Kal, ignoring Binary's statement whilst crossing his arms and trying to stand taller but also giving the two newcomers a disapproving look.

"I truly have no idea, but the energy vortex is indeed the Bifrost. It is not forming as quickly as I am used to, the repairs must not yet be complete. Whoever has been sent, their mission is crucial." Kal stated, but kept back the secret fear that it could possibly be a herald delivering news that his father had extended his exile to include all the Nine Realms and he needed to leave Earth.

"Whatever the case, SHIELD wants us to be the welcome wagon, and Kal to be on hand in case it's not friendly." May relayed her orders before casting a look at the two colourfully clad heroes behind Kal before sighing and shaking her head. "Including you two as well, I guess,"

"Great, so where are we going?" Binary asked enthusiastically almost like a teen eager to start her first job, earning her a raised eyebrow from everyone.

(Death Valley – 10 minutes Later)

Kal was soaring through the air with the SHIELD superhero Binary flying next to him whilst her partner Patriot accompanied the others on the ground. He couldn't exactly place the feeling he was having but the infectiously positive young woman soaring next to him felt so familiar it was like déjà vu. However, he was attributing that to her similar powers to his love Carol and his mind was currently focusing on the imminent arrival of one of his people.

Kal suddenly halted in the air as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up causing Binary to soar past him slightly before stopping. He looked up to the sky and couldn't help but smile as he felt the power of Yggdrasil coalescing around them.

"Agent May, halt your vehicles, the Bifrost is arriving about 200 meters in front of you." Kal communicated over the radio he had been given, as felt the Bifrost entering its final convergence.

"Understood," May replied, causing the column of SHIELD vehicles to halt on the road and form up into a defensive pattern.

No sooner had the vehicles formed up then did the sky fill with clouds and beams of brilliant light smashed through the gathered mists. The rainbow bridge was still as intense and as beautiful as Kal remembered it, the light show lasted a few moments before it dissipated leaving behind only the customary runic pattern and a familiar figure. Standing tall, with sword in hand and silver winged crown on her head was the Lady Sif who took a moment to shake off the Bifrost's effects before striding forward.

Kal did not wait for a request as he merely soared down quickly with a wide grin on his face as he greeted his steadfast ally and friend. Sif stopped moving the moment she saw her compatriot flying down to meet her, a brief smile flickering on her face before a grimace replaced it.

He strolled up to the warrior woman and clasped his forearm in hers. "Hail, to the Lady of Ida, to what do we owe the honour of a visit from the greatest shieldmaiden to Midgard this day?" Kal greeted with a wide grin but didn't ignore her expression.

"Hail, Kal. I am not here for a social visit, unfortunately." Sif responded moving forward, casting a quick glance at the Midgardians that were gathering nearby and the individual hovering in the air.

"I gathered as much," Kal sighed, his face falling slightly as a grimace that Sif knew all too well formed. "Is it Thor and Kakaranthara?"

"No," Sif responded before she did something Kal had not seen her do in centuries, she shifted uncomfortably, and a look of concern flashed on her face. However, she didn't expand on her blunt statement or obvious concern and instead gestured with her sword to the mortals nearby "We should discuss this somewhere more private, are these mortals your allies?"

"They are. These are the stalwart defenders of Midgard, they are known as SHIELD and I trust them." Kal responded gesturing to the gathered agents and May in particular.

"Good because Maxima is back." Sif responded with a grunt, before moving forward leaving Kal wide-eyed and stunned for a moment before chasing after.

(The Bus – SHIELD Airstrip Nevada - January 3rd 2014)

Coulson shifted as he watched Sif slam the car door shut with her fist causing the vehicle to sway slightly before striding into the aircraft. He caught Ward's eye and his agent merely raised his hands to his boss as Sif powered past him taking little note, instead heading straight for Kal in the lab. Without even turning Coulson addressed May as she appeared next to him completely used to her ability to approach without being seen.

"She's a soldier," Coulson explained as he smiled slightly remembering his life before Project Tahiti and the GH.325 serum turned it into the headache he currently had. "I saw her fight in New Mexico with Thor. Climbed a giant metal killing machine and speared it with a double-edged sword…..It was pretty badass."

"Kal says we can trust her, apparently someone else is on Earth that we need to worry about," May replied, relaying the brief snippet of the conversation she had overheard. "….You up for this?"

"I'm fine. Come on, let's get to work." He took a deep breath as he headed down to the sound of very loud voices coming from the lab.

"You are certain it's Maxima? Absolutely sure?" Kal was clearly aggravated and seemed to be shifting uncomfortably.

"Yes, Kal I am su- What dark magic is this?" Sif cut herself off her hand going to her sword's pommel as she stared at Coulson. "Thor said you perished at the hands of Loki."

"And he was right. For a while at least." Coulson responded honestly earning a worried look from May for his candour given recent events. "But Loki wasn't the only one with tricks up his sleeve. Turns out SHI-"

"Up sleeves?" Sif asked cutting off Coulson completely confused by the odd statement looking at Kal to clarify.

"It's a mort-, an Earth saying." Kal replied, the question momentarily breaking him out of his stupor. "We can trust the son of Coul, Lady Sif, and I shall tell Thor when we next meet."

Sif looked at Coulson for a moment, clearly uneasy with the idea of a man returning from the dead. Such a thing was known on Asgard, but draugr were vile creatures created from the foulest dark magic and not something one should toy with ever. She then looked at Kal, her demeanour visibly relaxing, deciding to trust her old friend and accept his words.

"Good, now that that's settled. I understand Earth has another unexpected visitor." Coulson took back control of the conversation wanting to know what he and his team had to deal with.

"Yes, Queen Maxima of Almerac has arrived on your world." Sif replied, the grimace on her face saying the alien's name told Coulson all he needed to know, not a friend at all. "She is extremely dangerous and whilst she remains in this realm, no one is safe."

"What's she here for?" May asked the question stepping forward trying to assess the threat they were facing. "Conquest? Resources? An artefact?"

"No…. she is here for the same reason she always is," Sif responded, and although the situation was grave, she couldn't help the playful smile that appeared on her face as she looked at Kal. "She is here for Kal."

"Kal? She is after Kal? We need to stop her immediately!" Binary's voice suddenly caused everyone to turn to the young hero who seemed very alarmed for some reason. "I mean, um, why is she after Kal? Does she want to fight you?"

The normally stoic prince's response to the question was not one anyone but Sif expected: he groaned at the question whilst he ran his hand through his hair. If Coulson didn't know better it seemed like their resident powerhouse of an alien was embarrassed.

"No, she is not here to fight Kal." Sif responded trying to be delicate whilst fighting back the humour this situation with Maxima always caused for her comrade. "She is…... well, the polite term is wants to mate with him."

"Mate?" Coulson found himself the only one able to speak as everyone else went quiet and several women in the room blushed.

"Yes…" Kal groaned, hating every second of this, exactly like every other time Maxima showed up in his life. He shifted like he was a young warrior being inspected by his father.

"Oh yes, she would like nothing more than to do so…...repeatedly" Sif's added statement caused Coulson's eyes to go wide and the blushes on Jemma's and Skye's face to deepen to an almost crimson.

"SIF!"

"Well it is true my friend. And you did leave her at the altar." Sif retorted, the teasing statement made with the same blunt manner she always spoke with which somehow made it worse.

"Wait, altar?!" Skye picked up the key word before Kal could reply. "OH my god! Is this an ex wanting a booty call?"

"WHAT?! No! Maxima and myself were never, EVER, anything remotely, in a thousand years, approaching a couple." Kal replied quickly, seemingly flustered at the question. "She is a member of an insane eugenicist matriarchal civilization who believes I would create strong offspring. For this reason, she has been chasing after me since I was but a boy of nine"

"So, what's this about an altar then?" Jemma couldn't help but ask the question clamping a hand over her mouth not believing she had done something so crass.

"THAT WAS LOKI!"

Kal half yelled, half sighed his defence as he felt he needed to clarify what Sif's inside joke meant. "When I was younger I was invited to visit Almerac as part of a cultural exchange only to show up with Maxima preparing a marriage ceremony. It turned out that Loki had impersonated me, declared undying love for Maxima, sent her bad poetry as me and agreed to a marriage alliance."

"What did you do?" Coulson couldn't help his curiosity wanting to know how the story ended.

"I did the only thing I could. I put on a smile, waited for the first opportunity and then got away faster than Sleipnir. My flight didn't stop until I hit Praxius IV at the edge of known space." Kal coughed, not entirely comfortable as an Asgardian with the idea of fleeing, no matter how necessary. "It seems as if that is what I must do again."

"Wait, you are running?" Ward asked in disbelief. He might not like Kal and his own secret allegiances made him wary of the man, but he never thought the man a coward. "Is this Maxima person really that dangerous?"

"Almost, I am likely one of the few beings alive able to beat her without too much trouble" Kal conceded, remembering the last time he saw the queen and how powerful she had become since their first encounter. "However, the issue is not me winning a fight. Indeed, that is actually what got me into this mess to begin with."

The reply caused Ward and the other mortals to look at him confused. Sif decided to explain.

"Kal defeated Maxima when they were children and several times since. On Almerac, there is not love or courtship as you understand it." She understood their reaction, for Almerac customs were strange even to Asgardians. "A mate is chosen if they are strong enough to subdue you, thus proving their blood is superior to you and thus would elevate your children. Maxima is their queen and one of the strongest beings alive, she has no potential mates on her homeworld…... and well, there is hardly anyone's Kal's equal in existence."

"Yes, and because she is a queen of very stubborn, insane and warlike people, I can't do much more than hide, wait for her to get bored and leave." Kal cut in wanting to end the conversation as soon as possible. "Thus, I will be heading to Praxius IV for a few months, Sif will stay here and keep an eye on Maxima, and all will be well."

Kal turned and started heading to the exit, regretting that he had to leave while knowing it was best for everyone. Maxima had a violent temper and her powers were no joke: her psionic abilities alone allowed for total domination of mind and, to a lesser degree, matter. If he was on Asgard or nearly any of the Nine Realms then he possibly might confront her, but this was Midgard and any confrontation between the two would lead to damage.

"Kal! St is not just Maxima," Sif's voice stopped Kal as she spoke in a tone that he had not heard in centuries, in fact, not since Haldor. "Lorelai escaped the dungeons; we only discovered the illusion last month."

Even though Coulson had no idea who this Lorelai was, it was clear by the way Sif spat her name that the Asgardian shieldmaiden was not a fan. Nor was Kal, judging by the darkening storm clouds that were brewing in his eyes as he turned around. Coulson looked to his hands and saw both were clenched in fists and his knuckles were pure white with rage.

"I'm sorry but who is this Lorelai, another Queen?" Coulson wanted to know why this person seemed to change Kal's desire to leave.

"No, she is not." Kal's voice was dark, and he wasn't looking at anyone as rage brewed in his eyes and the air went cold as he spoke. "Lorelai is an Asgardian, the erstwhile goddess of desire."

"I take it you are not a fan," May pressed to know more, and got the sense she would only get it by gently pushing some buttons.

"NO, I am not," Kal growled before calming himself with a steady breath not wanting to take his anger out on the undeserving. "Lorelai is a foul, dark soul. Six hundred years ago she wreaked havoc across the realms using her powers. She toppled empires, commanded vast armies, brought down kings and spilt more blood than there is water in your oceans."

"What type of power are we talking about? Strength? Speed?" Ward asked, leaning forward intrigued and wanting to know more about his enemy.

"Nothing, so common." Sif replied, a look of disgust appearing on her face thinking about the woman she hated more than anything in existence "Lorelai's power is sorcery."

Kal moved to clarify, wanting to spare Sif the unpleasantness of having to talk about the woman. "She has the power to command any man in her presence. She can bend and shape the will of men to her purpose."

"How?" Jemma's curiosity, unlike Ward's, was more academic.

"Every person raised on Asgard and who accepts their ways gains a unique connection to the underlying power of the cosmos, but for most the connection is too small to become anything. For others like me and Thor, it allows us to manifest powers and wield control over those aspects. Lorelai's power is that she becomes the embodiment of desire for any man that sees her, they are still themselves but would do anything for her sake."

"Including betraying the ones they love," Sif added in a whisper earning a sad gaze from Kal.

"Is it only men? Her powers don't work on women" May inquired, wanting more information and to move away from the clearly unpleasant topic, looking at the few women in the room while assessing if they needed a special all-female team for this mission.

"No, Lorelai's powers are tied to her own self-image and personality." Sif clarified moving forward, regaining her composure and confidence now that she was focusing again. "As she has no interest, inclination or, to use the appropriate term, desire for women, she can not force them to desire her in turn. The only man I know safe from her is Kal, for the sword Gram burns away falsehoods and keeps its wielder true so Lorelai cannot dominate him."

"But why is she here then, if Kal is the one man she can't control then why come?" Patriot suddenly spoke up his voice causing everyone to jump slightly as the unmoving man spoke.

"Because Maxima is with her, most likely using her. Thus, leaving isn't an option since the two will just sow chaos until I appear to help" Kal finally realised why Sif was here and the danger he and everyone else was in. "I can take either one without issue, but the combined might of Maxima's natural pheromones, enhanced psionic abilities and Lorelai's powers I likely won't be able to resist. Maxima will have me for a mate and King, whilst Lorelai likely has been offered Midgard to rule."

"Okay, so is there a way of stopping either one of them?" Coulson asked, guessing that there was a game plan and that Sif hadn't just to deliver bad news.

"We can stop Lorelai with this," Sif answered, showing a strange necklace-like device that she took from a seemingly small pouch on her belt. "It prevents her from speaking and blocks her powers. Queen Frigga created it, Lorelai wore one for centuries while locked in prison."

"And Maxima? Should we be bringing only female agents to prevent aiding Lorelai" May asked, looking at Kal.

"It would not matter. Maxima's pheromones and psionic powers ensnare any of the sexes. If we engage both at the same time then I can deal with Maxima whilst Sif subdues Lorelai," Kal replied looking at the item he still remembered watching Loki and his late mother craft.

"Cool, so do we know where they are now?" Ward looked at Sif and Kal wanting to know where they should point the bus to next.

"I do not, all I know is that the Bifrost delivered me to roughly where they arrived." Sif responded with a look of regret on her face that she couldn't do more to help find her quarry.

"Mostly small towns out that way." Coulson took charge of the meeting now that they needed a game plan, pulling a map of the area up on the screen. "Let's start looking for unusual activity within a few hundred-mile radius. Anything we should look out for specifically?"

"Lorelai is used to ruling over empires and she has a cruel streak. Look for burglary, theft, assault, murder, especially where men are being violent towards women they love with no prior warning." Kal replied feeling sick as he remembered the legions of men Lorelai had once commanded to slaughter their own children and loved ones just to prove their forced admiration for her. "As for Maxima, look for people killing the weak and the disabled. Almeracians have little tolerance for perceived genetic impurities…..Also she is about seven and a half to eight feet in height and has red skin so she might stand out."

"Okay then, let's look for, well, all that. Time to go to work" Coulson nodded at his team to get started.