Issue 83: A New Age Part 20

Sif and Mary Jane walked down the halls of Asgard's largest castle when the Goddess spoke up.

"So, what do you think they're talking about?"

"It's most likely the dreaded Mother-in-Law inspection of the possible daughter-in-law," MJ chuckled.

Sif looked a bit down before she let out a sigh that MJ noticed.

"You like him, don't you?"

"What? Me, and Thor? Phsss…" Sif waved her hand.

MJ raised a brow as she said, "That's not very convincing."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah, but Thor seems to be the brick for brains type." MJ shook her head.

"I am most certain his brain is not made of bricks," 

"It's a metaphor, really have to get you guys a lexicon. I'm calling him dense when it comes to recognize a woman's feeling for him."

"It's not his fault…we've been friends ever since we were children…I've had hundreds of years to admit my feelings, but I've never been able to do it, and then this Jane Foster comes along and…"

"Aren't you a monarchy, I'm pretty sure Jane can't become the next queen since she isn't Asgardian, and if any of the Norse Mythology we have is right, Odin has had a few women. Oh wow, I wonder how Jane is going to take that…it's just like that Soap mom got me into."

Sif stared at her with a confused expression before asking, "What is a Soap?"

MJ coughed into her hand as she shook off those thoughts and said, "I mean, humans don't even live that long compared to Asgardians. Even with the recent life extension methods humans have, you guys live for millions of years, right?"

"Well…yes…that is true…but I can't understand why I feel so frustrated when I see them together. I know that human life is fleeting, but…just the thought of it is enough to make me…"

MJ laughed a little before she explained, "Your just jealous cause Jane got to him first."

"I…am jealous? Is that what this feeling is? I don't like it," Sif huffed.

"No one does,"

"What do I do?"

"Honestly, in a perfect world I'd say for Thor take Jane as a concubine and you as the next Queen. That way, everyone can be happy, but humans have grown rather fond of monogamy, and I don't see Jane agreeing to that. Maybe the best thing you can do is try and talk it out." 

"Just talk?" Sif lifted a brow.

"Yeah, talk. Keeping it inside is only going to make the feeling fester. As Peter would say, better out then in."

They reached the open courtyard before MJ started stretching to prepare for her work out, "In the meantime, we can take our minds off the whole problem by working up a sweat."

"I think it's funny you assume an Asgardian can sweat," Sif showed a rare smile.

"First, we start with stretches. My training consists of 1 part flexibility training, 1 part strength training, and 1 part cardio."

Sif tilted her head as she saw MJ bend her body in a way, she didn't think was possible. However, she removed her armor and attempted to follow MJ's instructions. She had to admit, that more than a few times she felt her body being strained in ways she had never felt before.

When they finished them, MJ taught her how to stress her muscles without using weights. She offered Sif a variety of ideas to help her push her body to the limits, like swinging her sword with all her strength and speed until she could no longer do so, she used a simple straight staff and told her to lift it like it was the heaviest object in existence, to strain the muscles beyond their natural limit with every movement.

Lastly, she made Sif run as fast as she could back and forth since they didn't really have enough room to let loose. MJ told her how New York was the best place to get in cardio due to the Parkor and swinging over roof tops.

By the end of their work out, Sif was actually sweating harder than she had in her entire life.

"Told you'd it be tough," 

"I admit, this way is far more effective than lifting mountains," Sif huffed.

"Oh wow, is that what you Asgardians do? You lift mountains for a workout?"

"More as a test of strength. The older we grow, the stronger we become, so it's more like a benchmark of sorts, kind of like a warrior's rite of passage."

"I see…Well, the whole point of working out is to break past these limits with hard work. I think it'll suit you Asgardians well," MJ smiled.

"Perhaps it will," Sif smiled brightly. 

A horn echoed out, signaling the return of the Hunters. Although, they were a little confused as to why they carried no game. That was until Peter brought out a large animal hide from within his bag.

"They're back," Sif said as she patted off the sweat.

"Let's go great our heroes," MJ smiled.

"How come you're not sweating?"

"Oh, I am, but my suit takes care of that by expelling the impurities and reabsorbing the water. I still sweat, but not that much."

"I want one. Do you Asgardians accept Sky Gold?"

"Well, if I can convince Peter, I'll let you know,"

"You need his permission?" Sif lifted a brow.

"It's more like we sealed the ability for the Symbiotes ability to reproduce. We'd have to use the Real…er special key to unlock that ability."

"Ooh, I guess that make's sense…wait, did you Symbiote, as in your suit is alive?"

"Oh yeah, her name is Spiderling," MJ chuckled.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you," Spiderling said as a small head popped off of MJ's shoulder.

"Interesting, what does it do?"

"Well, she can amplify my abilities, allow me to copy the abilities of others, translate any alien tech via a form of short-range telepathy, and a whole bunch more."

They walked side by side as MJ explained all the upgrades Spiderling has gotten over the years. They only stopped when they saw the crowd gathered around the massive disassembled animals while the cooks quickly took them to the kitchen.

Peter saw MJ running towards him and caught her in a hug, "Honey, I'm home."

"Good to see you too babe," MJ kissed him on the lips, "But we're not exactly home."

"Wherever you are is my home," Peter chuckled as he gave her another kiss.

MJ would normally call him corny, but she couldn't deny it made her happy to hear that.

They all gathered in the mess hall and listened to Thor and the group brag about their hunt when Jane came downstairs in some Asgardian clothing the Queen lent her. It was a nice dress that hung low to her ankles with everything below her knees made of transparent cloth. She had a nice gem necklace, a few armbands, and a pair of blue slippers. Even her hair was braided in a style befitting a Viking.

"Wow…" Thor said with a red face.

Jane looked a little flustered as she waved at him.

Frigg couldn't help but snicker at how speechless her son was.

"Ahem…lady Jane, you look lovely," Thor said as he kissed her hand.

"Thanks, your mother put a lot of work into it," Jane giggled.

"Mother…where is father?"

"He's sleeping," 

"I see…well, I'll start the feast off with a toast!" Thor pulled Peter over and shouted, "People of Asgard, I bring to you one of my friends from Midgard! Heroes from the realm bless us with their presence, so it is my hopes that you bless theirs."

The crowd cheered as Thor held Peter's hand up, "It's a bit late, but tonight, we celebrate the Midgardian's growth into an adult. The feast you eat tonight was hunted and gathered by Peter Parker, so it is my hope that you treat him as a true warrior of Asgard."

The crowd cheered again while Peter blushed a bit and said, "All this attention is making me feel a bit uncomfortable."

"LET'S EAT!" Volstagg shouted as he held up a giant Pig Leg.

They all started eating and enjoying themselves while Peter made a call back to Fury and informed him that they'd be gone for the night and to get the Defenders to cover their part of the city.

He ate and chatted with the locals until it started to get dark. While the party hit maximum capacity, Peter walked off with MJ and looked at the stars and nearby planetoids that orbited the massive slab of land that was Asgard.

"It's really beautiful. Every planet we visit has vastly different views to look up at," MJ smiled as she held Peter's hand and laid her head on his shoulder.

"I can't wait to build my own planet. I have to make sure the stars in the area provide quite the show," Peter chuckled.

"You're not going to use Venus?"

"Nah, I'll give that place to the Asgardians or something, after all, as beautiful as this place is, it will face Ragnarock in the future, and they'll be homeless. It's the least I can do considering how much the Asgardians protect the Nine Realms."

"Peter! Mary Jane! Come join us for a drink!" Thor shouted as he held up a mug of ale.

They both chuckled as they walked over and took hold of the mug. 

"You know we can't get drunk, right?" Peter downed it in an instant. 

"Hmm…that is an issue. But no worries! I have the perfect solution!" Thor laughed as he pulled out a small flask and opened it up, "I got this from Olympus! It's called Ambrosia and can even get the Gods drunker than Dwarf at open bar."

"Sounds like fun," MJ said as she held out her mug.

Thor was very careful to only give them one drop each and the two downed their mugs before looking at each other with a surprised expression.

"Wow…this is…I think what you call being buzzed?" Peter licked his lips.

"It's tasty, and I feel a bit like I'm floating," MJ added.

The party kicked it into high gear. Peter was challenged to a couple fights, but he easily defeated them. The only ones that gave him any trouble were the Asgardians above the age of 1,000. MJ chatted with several women and even had to fight to show that she was just as strong as Peter. 

They drank, sang, exchanged cultures, shared knowledge, and even showed them images of Earth's recent improvements.

They were awed many times, and several Asgardians thought of paying a visit to Earth.

Somewhere between fighting Sif and eating an entire ten pounds of the tastiest Pork Belly he had ever eaten, Peter blacked out.

He woke up the next morning with a naked MJ sleeping beside him before grabbing his head, "Erp…ooh, so this is what it's like to be hung over. That Ambrosia stuff really packs a wallop!"

MJ groaned next to him before pulling him back down to cuddle with.

"She's handling it better than me…Webster, clean me up."

Toxicity was purged from his body, and while the hangover cleared up, Peter woke MJ up with a kiss and said, "Come on, we got work to do."

"Nooo, just a little longer," MJ pouted.

Peter snickered before he started tickling her.

MJ started laughing as he continued to run his hands across her sides until she jumped on him and said, "Okay, okay! I give."

Peter kissed her and said, "I vaguely remember us promising to meet with Odin and Frigg to speak about what to do with the Infinity Stones."

"Right…well, I guess I better dress nice," MJ said as he Symbiote took the shape of a rather pretty black dress that showed off her cleavage. Everything above her breasts was a dark colored fishnet cloth that covered her shoulders and stopped at the black choker.

Peter whistled as he made his suit form into the Last Stand outfit without the mask.

"Looking good, love the jacket, Tiger. Or is it dragon now?"

"Just wait until I get ahold of the White Tiger bloodline," Peter snickered, "I'm still human. I just have copied the best genetic advantages that came from a dragon into my own gene structure."

"While I love the outfit, maybe wear something a little formal," MJ held her arm out.

Peter yawned and changed the outfit to a black and white suit with a tie, "Formal enough for ya?"

"Plenty, thank you," MJ kissed him on the cheek as she wrapped her arm around his.

They walked to the door and left the guest room to see some guards standing a few feet away.

"Excuse me, could you escort us to the Throne Room?" MJ called out.

"It would be an honor, Lady Mary!" One of the guards blushed as he walked ahead of them.

"My wife is just too damn pretty," Peter shook his head.

"You're not so bad yourself, Tiger," MJ laughed, "Did you notice all the girls, correction, goddesses throwing themselves at you last night?"

"It's a bit blurry, but the only woman I was staring at was you," Peter smiled.

"God damn it," MJ blushed as she looked to the side as she thought, "We've been together for almost five years, and you still know how to make my heart thump."

They entered the chamber and saw a tired Odin who had basically forced himself awake from the deep sleep while Frigg wore a happier expression.

"Morning," Peter said as he gave a polite bow.

"It's an honor to meet you again," MJ followed suit.

"Rise," Odin said as he pulled something from his sleeve. 

Peter looked on at the shining cubed-stone and smile, "So, I take it you're trusting me with it?"

"Only to see if you speak the truth," Odin tossed it to him.

Peter caught it and broke down the cube's material to have it absorbed by his Space Amethyst, revealing the Space Infinity Stone inside.

"Space Amethyst has been improved. New limit at 58 minutes and 32 seconds," Webster said as the gems stopped glowing.

"I have seen glimpses of certain events in my sleep. I have to ask you, why you are helping us so much? What do you have to gain?"

"What do I have to gain? Well…for starters, protection. I know that because of Asgardians, many cosmic threats are dealt with, if you're stronger, then they won't get through to us. Also, Thor is a good friend of mine. Be pretty scummy of me not to help him out."

Frigga laughed a little because it was as she thought. Odin hated when he was wrong about a person, but he couldn't deny that some part of him respected the Spider, even if he didn't like him.

"So, friendship and a means to further your own ambition, is it?" Odin lifted a brow.

"Pretty much, ooh, and offering, I almost forgot about offering," Peter opened the portal to all the Infinity Stones and pulled them out. Using his Merlin Stones as conduits, he channeled the powers of Space, Time, Reality, Power, Soul, and Mind to create a ticket for Odin and Frigg.

"This is?" Odin looked at the piece of paper with a spider drawn on it.

"Just tear that and you can create a perfect duplicate yourself that'll last one week. When the clone vanishes, all memories and experiences will be shared with your own."

Peter then clapped his hands together and opened a Portal to the location of the Soul Stone. 

"I'll be right back," Peter smiled as he walked through.

Once on planet Vormir, he walked up the sacrificial area and used the Reality Stone to rewrite the spell and tossed his favorite meal in before the ghost of the Red Skull could even speak.

"What did you do?" The Red Skull shouted in fright.

"I rewrote the clause for the spell used to seal the stone. Instead of offering up my most important thing, I've added the stipulation of offering up my favorite food."

Once the Soul Stone was in his hands, Peter looked at the Red Skull and snapped his finger, sending his soul to hell where it belonged.

Next, he returned to the Throne Room, pulled out a pair of Philosopher Stones, and imbued them with a portion of the Infinity Stones Powers. Peter then sent the Infinity Stones countless Centillion years into the future, long past the estimated age of Black Holes, and at the edge of time itself.

"Well, that should deal with that!" Peter held onto his newly improved Philosopher Stone and stamped it onto his back with the other six Merlin Gemstones surrounding it in a circle. His suit lit up with a new power source and suddenly settled back down.

"For you," Peter held out the other super charged Philosopher Stone and grinned.

MJ smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek as she replaced her Philosopher Stone and enjoyed the new readings she got from the multi-colored gem.

"Alright, let's see…I'm currently Terraforming Venus, so that will take a while to hand over…what kind of offering can I give…I know!"

Peter created two vials of liquid and tossed them to the King and Queen.

They caught them and looked at Peter with interest before Frigg asked, "And this is?"

"An elixir of Immortality made from an improved version of the…well I guess I can't call it the Philosopher Stone anymore…My Prime Materia. It should work on godly beings such as yourselves."

MJ lifted a brow as she looked at Peter, "So, you actually pulled it off?"

"Yep…couldn't have done it without the Infinity Stones, but now that it is...well, I guess certain humans will never die of old age. I kept thinking, what can I give to a hyper advanced species like the Asgardians, Thor got a power up thanks to understanding his own godly might, Venus isn't ready, and there's not much I can grant to someone that wields the Odin Force, but returning a God of Odin's caliber to his Prime will not only grant us better protection but might be beneficial for the universe as a whole."

"That is…quite an accomplishment and forethought into your plans…perhaps being friends with Thor will do him some good," Odin lifted a brow as he popped the vial's cork and downed the liquid.

His body glowed as the winkles on his face smoothened out while his physique grew stronger. Frigg did the same and the two eventually returned to the primes of their youthful image.

"Oh my, I haven't felt like this in eons," Frigg giggled.

"Yes, it wasn't enough to give us Eternity, but it did return us to our youth and expand our lifespans multiple times. It is an impressive creation, Spider-Totem."

"Thanks, hopefully that should buy Midgard some extra protection,"

"I could send Baldur to check up on Earth every now and then." Frigga poked her chin in contemplation.

"Hmm…I have a request, if that's not too much to ask?"

"Speak," Odin nodded his head.

"I'd like for Loki to receive the same treatment Thor got when you made him a human. What did you call him, Davi…no Donald Blake? I want you to make a similar persona for Loki to inhabit."

"You really know too much," Odin sighed. 

Frigg showed a curious expression as she asked, "May I ask why you request such a thing?"

"I think he can be a great force for good, but he needs a change in perspective. Send him to Earth, give him a good family, and let him live out a life as a Mortal. I think that's better than keeping him locked up."

"How do you know of this?" The Norse Goddess questioned.

"I looked into his past and found some…well, let's just say I know that he's suffering, and it would be good for him to gain a different perspective on life. Especially considering what will come in the future."

"You speak as if you know it," Frigg lifted a brow.

"Not our future exactly, but futures from other realities, ones that are close to ours but countless years ahead," Peter shook his head.

"Right, the Web of Life and Destiny…" Odin sighed as he thought back to his past. During his youth, he once attempted to peer into that Pantheon's power but was blown away by a force he did not yet understand.

"Very well, I shall grant your desire. In turn, we can consider Midgard as an ally faction of our Pantheon," Odin declared.

"He sounds huffy, but I guarantee that he's quite proud of how far Midgardians have come," Frigg smirked.

"Now that I put a stop to Thanos' plan and countless others who thought of using the stones, I wonder what I should do now," Peter thought to himself, "Well, there are still plenty of people with reality altering abilities I need to track down and remove, so this universe isn't out of hot water just yet."

"So, what now?" MJ asked before the grounds suddenly shook.

Odin frowned as he stamped his spear against the ground, "Who dares attack Asgard!"