Trick 70: Going to Asgard!

A month crept by without anyone noticing.

Ace was studying in the Ministry's Library, not feeling much better about himself. He should've done something, he felt guilty every time he looked at Amos' face. He had apologized to Amos several times but apologies did nothing.

He sighed to himself and rubbed his eyes, taking off the glasses he was wearing. He had experimented himself, creating them himself.

Basically, they were glasses that allowed you to read faster and more efficiently. It was a relatively simple artifact and a good starting point for Ace. He was happy that his first artifact was a success and more glad that it was a practical artifact at that.

As he put the glasses back on he froze and turned his head in a specific direction, feeling an intensely strange feeling!

Not unlike the feeling he felt when Loki appeared!

Ace closed the notebook and packed all his things, leaving the Ministry.

He turned a corner into an alleyway and Cloak flew out of it on a broom, shooting off into eastern London.

By the time he arrived at the scene, he saw Jane Foster, Darcy, and Thor! He frowned as a police officer grabbed at Jane, throwing his hand out, casting a shield in front of the police.

He blocked them from Jane as a red energy exploded from her body, shattering the shield instantly! Ace was stunned and put more barriers, pulling the closest officer back.

The energy explosion stopped at the last barrier and the police were stunned.

Thor ran over to Jane and shouted "Jane!" as Ace floated down, making the Broom disappear as he stepped back onto the ground. He was still wearing his normal teaching wear, so he looked a bit different, however his face was still covered.

Ace asked "How is she?" Thor frowned and replied "I don't know. Are you alright?" Jane looked dazed and replied "Fine… He's? The Wizard?" Thor smiled at Ace, saying "My friend, how have you been?"

Ace replied slowly "Alright. What was that surge of energy?" Thor looked at Jane and frowned, "I'm not sure, surely they'll know on Asgard." as the police approached, saying "Hands up!"

Ace turned and looked at them, saying "There's no need. Please return to your posts, I will handle the situation here." The police looked at him and then each other as Ace flicked his finger.

A stone wall blocked the police as Ace turned around, crossing his arms, "Thor, I don't think it's a good idea for you to bring Jane to Asgard… That energy reminds me of something…" Thor smiled and said "Nonsense, my friend. Asgard is the safest place in the Universe! Hopefully, you will enjoy your stay as well!"

Ace was startled and replied "Huh? What? Wait, Tho-" before the Bifrost enveloped the 3 of them, sucking them into the sky and disappearing.

Darcy was left, looking at the sky as she said "Holy fuck…"

Ace stumbled as he landed on the ground again, stopping in front of a man in golden armor. The man looked at him and Jane, smiling "Welcome to Asgard." Thor smiled " Thank you, Heimdall. Come." as he walked along the Bifrost.

Ace followed him and Jane, looking around in wonder.

After a while of walking, they arrived in a palace.

Thor brought Jane to a group of women to see what was wrong with her as Ace stayed in place with his hands in his pockets, his cloak covering the rest of his body. He looked around at the elegant palace, wondering how many people lived inside.

Just as he was thinking, Thor came back, patting Ace's shoulders with a big smile, "My friend! Many Asgardians have heard your tale! They wish to see the legend himself! Come for a feast!"

Ace replied "I don't think-" before he could finish, Odin, himself, walked in! He looked at Thor, saying "Are my words mere noises to you that you choose to ignore completely?" Ace stood in place as Thor walked over saying "She is ill."

Odin walked over to the Soul Forge, waving it off as he said "She is mortal. Illness is their defining trait." Thor retorted "I brought her here because we could help her." Odin rebuffed him, waving his finger, "She does not belong here in Asgard any more than a goat at a banquet table."

Jane scoffed and sat up asking "Who do you think you are?!" Ace bowed and said "Your majesty." Odin smiled at him and side eyed Jane, "Odin, the King of Asgard." before turning back to Ace and adding "Finally, we meet. I have heard many things about you, young mage. My friend tells me you are one of her brightest students."

Ace was still bowing as he replied softly "Formerly." Odin looked at him and replied with a smile "Yes, I wonder about that." before turning back to Thor, continuing "Her world has its healers. They are called 'Doctors'. Let them deal with it."

Ace straightened out as Odin added, "Guards, take her back to Midgard!" Ace stepped up saying quickly "Wait don't t-" but who was he? The guards grabbed Jane and Ace put up another barrier as the red energy explosion occurred again.

Ace caught the flying guard and stepped back a dozen steps, coughing violently. The guard stood on his feet and cleared his throat, nodding at Ace, who said "You're really heavy."

Odin frowned and walked over, waving his hand over Jane's arm, muttering "This is impossible…" A nurse replied in shock, "The infection… It's defending her." Thor looked at Jane and shook his head, muttering, "No… It's defending itself."

Odin looked at the glowing red light in Jane's veins before walking away saying "Come with me." Ace looked around and Thor said "I'm sorry, my friend. The feast shall have to be postponed."

Ace waved his hand and replied "It's quite alright… I'll wait here." Odin waved, "Nonsense. You shall come along as well." Ace blinked and Thor smiled, waving Ace over. Ace followed along into a room as Odin opened a book, saying "There are relics that predate the Universe itself. What lies within her appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not eternal."

Ace looked around in the room, there was a huge tree diagram with galaxies on it. He assumed that the tree represented Yggdrasil… Odin continued, "They had a dawn as they will have a dusk. But before that dawn the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged."

He flipped the pages and Ace looked at the pictures of elves wearing masks, he was a bit confused as he couldn't read the runes on the page, this must be Asgardian runes. Thor read them, "'Born of eternal night, the Dark Elves come to steal the light.' I know these stories. Mother told them to us as children."

Odin nodded and went on, "Their Leader Malekith made a weapon out of that darkness and it was called the Aether." Ace asked in shock, "The energy of the Universe??" Odin smiled at him replying "No. The Aether you know is the true Aether, this is a recreation of that same energy."

Ace swallowed and looked at the book as Odin turned back, explaining, "While the other relics often appear as Stones the Aether is fluid and ever changing. It changes matter into dark matter. It seeks out host bodies, drawing strength from their life-force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness."

Ace looked at the moving pictures and asked "For what purpose?" Thor replied "The Dark Elves are strongest in darkness, they would reign supreme in the universe should there be no light." Ace nodded as Odin continued, "But, after eternities of bloodshed my father Bor finally triumphed ushering in a peace that lasted thousands of years."

Jane looked confused and asked "What happened?" Odin looked at her and said dryly, "He killed them all." Ace licked his lips and swallowed, not feeling to great about that revelation, however he didn't say anything. Mostly because he was a guest and it was extremely rude to question the host, and…

Well if Ace was being honest with himself, it wasn't his place to question, in addition he was a bit scared of pissing Odin off. From what he gathered, he was friends with the Ancient One and the Ancient One could wipe Ace out with a wave of her hand.

It only made sense that Odin could do that as well, so he didn't really want to die just yet…

Thor had no scruples, asking "Are you certain? The Aether has been said to have been destroyed along with them, yet here it is." Odin turned to him and replied firmly, "The Dark Elves are dead."

Jane was apparently missing the part of her brain that processes fear and asked "Well does your magic book mention any way to get it out of me?" Odin looked at her silently for a moment, turning back to the book as he said "No. It does not." before walking away.

Ace looked at Jane before turning to Thor, saying "Your girlfriend has balls." Jane made a strange face and asked "What's that supposed to mean?" Thor smiled happily, "She is quite courageous isn't she?"

Ace looked at her before pointing his thumb behind him, saying "Do you know how fast he could kill you? Maybe you wouldn't even realize you pissed him off before you were dead." Jane retorted "Kill me? For what?" Ace was stunned and rebuffed her, "And YOU are a scientist?"

Jane frowned and Ace added "Listen, you want to go nuts on the King of Asgard, Godking Odin, I'm not gonna stop you. Unlike you, I still want to live, okay? I would prefer if you didn't die, though, so tone down the passive aggressivity."

Jane held her chest, saying sarcastically "Well aren't you a gentleman!" Ace rolled his eyes and looked at Thor, who scratched his nose. Jane looked at Thor, snorting "Why is he looking at you? You left me on Earth!"

Ace rolled his eyes and replied "You're not the only one, get over it." before walking away, looking at the books on the walls. Thor chuckled awkwardly, asking "Care for a stroll, Jane?" Jane snorted and retorted "Maybe you'd like to stroll with your magic man friend here?"

Thor scratched his head and replied "No?" Jane nodded, "Good. Let's go then." before dragging him away, making a face at Ace. He sighed and muttered "So childish…" as he looked at the Asgardian tomes.