Issue 81: A New Age Part 18

"I heard that tittle before…" Thor grabbed his chin and looked like he was thinking back on something.

They boarded a flying boat and rode it into the inner city. The mortals of the group awed in fascination as they took in all the sights.

"I know it's fascinating, right?" Thor had a smirk full of pride.

"Pretty cool architecture, I'll take some notes for when I build my own planet."

"Say what now?" Thor questioned as his eyes blinked rapidly.

"I guess you've missed out since you didn't bother to contact me," Jane lifted a brow, "Peter here with the help of several Meta-Humans terraformed Mars."

"He what?"

"Oh, and he soloed terraforming Venus," MJ giggled.

"I…er, how things have changed on Midgard, you have all come a long way since the days of you all living in huts and caves. I'm sure Father will be pleased with your progress."

"Why would he be pleased?" Mary and Jane asked at the same time.1

"Oh, Asgard oversees and protects Earth from cosmic entities. Midgardians doing well is like showing that my father's ruling methods are working. There is a higher order to the universe, and for some reason, many gods place great importance on Midgard."

"Wait, there are other gods on Earth?"

"Not really, but there are many gateways that lead to godly realms. I've been to Olympus, Takamagahara, and Heaven before." 

"You've been to heaven? Like the Christian heaven?"

"Yes, though it is split into two factions, the Judaism and the Christian heavens. It was a nice place, Jesus is quite the character, and between you and me, the wine he makes is divine."

Peter snorted, "The wine is divine, good one."

"I was being serious?" Thor looked confused.

MJ laughed while Jane said, "I sure you were."

"So, what all of the religions are real?"

"In a manner of speaking, I think there are a few that your kind has made up," Thor rubbed his chin.

"I'm not surprised," MJ rolled her eyes.

"Aww, man, made up religions, next thing you'll tell me the flying spaghetti monster isn't real," Peter joked while selling the whole depressed vibe.

"Why would you want it to be?" Jane asked.

"I wanted to eat it. It'd be the tastiest villain I ever brought down," Peter laughed.

They stopped and walked through a large crowd of curious people. Most were cheering for their prince's return. However, there were many pointing at the newcomers and whispering back and forth about their origins.

"Showing off," Peter snickered.

"What? These are my people," Thor looked at Jane a couple of times.

"And I assume you only visit every now and then?" MJ lifted a brow.

"Well…yes, but that's only because I've been busy lately restoring the bridge between worlds."

"Is that why you haven't visited?" Jane asked.

"Yes…My duties as a Prince of Asgard was the only thing keeping me from coming back. I had to traverse the realms and go on a diplomatic mission of sorts. I am sorry, Lady Jane, but how do you mortals put it, it was hell?"

"That's an accurate statement," Peter said as they approached a large castle like structure.

They passed through the halls and met up with Thor's friends, the warriors three and lady Sif. 

Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg ran over and gave their leader a loud welcoming. However, something was very different from the comics he was so familiar with. For one, they were all different races instead of Asgardians.

Fandral the Dashing was an elf from Alfheim, Hogun the Grim was a Vanir from Vanahiem, and Volstagg the Valiant was a Dwarf from Nidavellir. The only ones that seemed to have kept their Canon identities were Sif and Hogun.

"I guess they aren't any giant dwarves in this universe. That's cool, little bummed out to be honest," Peter thought to himself.

"Lord Thor! You finally bless us with your presence, and I see you've brought guest, quite the lovely ones, in fact."

"Dude, I heard a lot about you, but flirting with two taken women? You're liable to get your nose broken," Peter lifted a brow while tilting his head to the side.

Volstagg started laughing, "Brave fellow, do you know who you are speaking to?" 

"Judging from the ears, I was guessing Vulcan…but that would be too cool for a chud like you. If I know my Norse Lore well, I'm guessing he's probably and Elf from Alfheim. Hi, I'm Peter Parker, a hero from earth. This is my fiancée Mary, and this is Thor's girlfriend, Jane."

"We're not dating…er…" Jane looked at Thor, "I mean, we're not, are we?"

I think? Are we?" Thor replied.

"I mean…well, it's…" Jane babbled.

"Complicated," Thor blushed a bit.

Peter snorted a bit as he saw Lady Sif looking a bit jealous and thought, "Haaah, poor lady."

Fandral then smirked as he looked at Peter, "You say you're a hero from Midgard? What do you fight, other humans?" He winked at MJ, "I've fought giants, monsters, and demons before, and I've never lost."

"This mutha, he still trying to flirt with my…grr…" Peter's eyebrow twitched, "I've fought foes that would make you shit your pants and run for the hills," 

"Doubtful, what can be expected to pose a decent challenge on a backwards…"

"You want to stop with that condescending tone, right now, before you embarrass yourself. You know what? Too late. I fought Meta-Humans that can control the elements, I've fought unstoppable Juggernauts empowered by deities, and I've fought against an Immortal Dragon. What was the last thing you fought, a pig leg?" Peter poked his belly.

Thor, Volstagg, and Hogun all shared a laugh while the handsome blond elf blushed a bit. 

"Since when does Midgard have dragons? And what are Meta-Human?" Volstagg asked.

"I'm more curious about the empowered mortals? What god in their right minds would seek to empower such a weak race?" Hogun lifted a brow.

"Ever hear of the Octessence?" MJ smirked.

"Surely you aren't speaking the Cosmic Entities?" Sif spoke up.

"The very same. Midgard has changed since you last paid a visit, we have grown far faster than you realize, in fact, compared to the slow snail's pace in which you've guys evolve, I'd say that our progress in such a short time alone proves that we should never be looked down upon. Just because you were born looking from above, doesn't mean you'll be in the same high standing at the end."

"Care to put your mettle to the test?" Fandral placed his hand to his hip, resting his fingers at the hilt of his sword.

"Sure, after I've seen to my friend here," Peter patted Jane's shoulder.

"Spider-Man just called me his friend!" Jane grinned a hopped a little bit.

"I'm…I'm a hero too," Thor pouted a bit.

"Yeah, but you're hardly around, Spider-Man builds worlds for fun. What have you done for Earth besides raid our bars?" Jane lifted a brow.

"I saved it from destruction and alien invasion,"

"From threats Asgard were responsible for," Jane rolled her eyes.

"Didn't say I was perfect…"

Peter shook his head, "Let's stay focused and get that stuff out of you before you blow up again."

"Right, follow me," Thor said as he started walking away.

"I'll deal with your racist ass when I come back," Peter pointed at the elf and followed after.

While Fandral crossed his arms, MJ walked beside Jane and asked, "So, I hear you're a scientist, what do you study?"

"Quantum Physics,"

"More of an Engineering wiz, but I was surprised by how much I needed to know to when I started digging into alien tech."

"Still so jealous about that tidbit, I don't suppose Arcadia Industries is still hiring?" Thor's not girlfriend asked.

"I'm always looking for more scientists to nab up. Just submit an application and I'm sure you'll get a job pertaining to your area of expertise. You can get a list of projects that are already in progress or start up your own research team."

"Any stipulations?" Jane asked.

"Well, you are required to make something that can be sold every two to five years. My workers are allowed to advance any passion projects as long as they prepare something that can be sold to the public. In your case, I'm guessing you want to make a Rosen Bridge like the Bifrost."

"Those are really good terms. I'll check it out when I get back to Earth."

They stopped in front of a medical room that had a magical version of their Med-Bed. When Jane was going through the scans, Peter and MJ's eyes sparkled at what they were seeing.

"Are you using magic to scan her soul?" MJ looked at their Magi-Tech.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"My soon to be wife is a Technopath. It's her area of expertise," Peter chuckled.

"I forgot to congratulate you, young Parker. Perhaps we should throw you a party fit for the gods!" Thor cheered as he wrapped his arm around Peter's shoulder.

"Sounds like fun," Peter nodded his head as he read over the data pertaining to Jane's condition.

"Hmm…It's a bit weird, but I think I can extract it from her," Peter raised his hand and activated his Reality Topaz with his Soul Emerald and suddenly made the Aether vacate Jane's body.

"Dear Valhalla! That was insider her?"

"What is it?" Jane felt weak while the Asgardian doctors were freaking out.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Peter opened up his subspace pocket and extracted the Reality Stone before throwing it next to the other Stones.

"Were those?" Thor's eyes widened.

"Time, Power, Mind, and now Reality, I'm only missing the Soul and Space stones," Peter commented.

"Young Parker, perhaps it's better not to keep them in one place," Thor looked quite frightened.

"Oh, relax, notice something about the stones," Peter let him get a closer look.

"They…they're inert!"

"Yep, the place I'm storing them is outside the universe itself, therefore, they don't work. My vault of forbidden items is the best place to keep them for now."

"What's an infinity stone?" Jane asked.

"Bad news," MJ replied.

"Yes, very bad news. I'm curious as to what you plan on doing with such power," The voice of an older man appeared from the doorway.

Standing before the group was non-other than the All-Father of the Nose Pantheon.

"Father!" Thor straightened himself out.

"Well, for starters, I plan on sending them to the end of time. With what the Phoenix Force does with them, I'm sure you understand my intentions."

Odin looked at Peter and studied his eyes, "Thor, meet me in the Throne Room in a few hours. I wish to speak with the Spider Totem. Until then, we should destroy the Aether."

"Way ahead of you," Peter smirked as he raised his hand and made his Reality Topaz absorb the liquid.

"Reality Particles detected. Absorption complete. Reality Topaz timer increased to 5 hours," Webster informed.

"Just like I thought, eons of exposure to the Reality Stone has made the Aether into a similar object like my Reality Topaz."

"What did you just do?" Thor asked.

"I see…you absorbed the Aether…you're Merlin's successor," Odin eyed Peter with scrutiny. 

"Yeah, I still have a lot to learn about my magic, but I'm getting there," Peter rubbed the back of his head.

"Merlin…where have I heard that name before," Thor tilted his head side to side.

"On earth, he was considered a myth," Jane's eyes widened as Odin left the room.

"He was the first Sorcerer Supreme in our universe," Peter clarified.

"Again, there's that name," Thor rubbed his forehead before suddenly shouting, "Ah! The master of all magic! Only the greatest sorcerers in history can obtain that tittle. I believe Loki was at one time considered for the role."

"Speaking of Loki, how is he?" MJ asked.

"He's…still problematic, but I've been doing my best to talk to some sense into him," Thor sighed.

"Any clue as to why he attacked Earth?" Jane asked.

"Yes…and I'm afraid it's rather complicated. We'll talk about it later, for now, I wish to see how much Peter has grown. The last time we fought, you ran me through several boulders, I'm looking forward to getting some payback."

"First we'll deal with Fandral, that pompous prick needs to be put in his place," Peter grinned.

"Aren't you going to stop him?" Jane asked.

"Why? I think it's hot when he gets all defensive and jealous. Gives me plenty of teasing material too. Besides, the fact he kept going after learning I was taken, let's just say if Pete wasn't going to fight him, I would've," MJ winked.

"But, he's a god," Jane whispered.

"Well, he's also Norse, and based off what I've read about them, they respect the strong and brave. So, I don't think he's doing anything wrong. We've also gotten pretty powerful ourselves. Peter's been wanting to test his abilities for a while now, but no one on Earth can really fight him at full strength without certain consequences we'd rather avoid."

"So, he's what, stronger than the Hulk?" Jane asked.

"That's the kind of consequence I was talking about. The Hulk is a strong as he needs to be, and they can't go all out without destroying large portions of the earth, and if the Hulk loses control, he could end up destroying an entire planet," MJ informed.

"Midgard has changed," Sif thought to herself.

"Whoa, where'd you come from?" Peter nearly jumped.

"I've been standing outside the door the whole time," Sif replied.

"What are you, Drax?"

"Who?"

"A friend," Peter shook his head.

"Are you that confident you can defeat Fandral?"

"As long as he isn't Thor," Peter chuckled.

"That he is not," Thor replied with a smug expression, "Lady Sif, please direct my guest to the arena, I shall fetch our friend."

"As you command," Sif nodded her head before looking at the Spider-Couple, "Follow me."

The two shrugged their shoulders and followed after the Asgardian goddess. She led them to a large open area that looked like a training ground for knights. There were weapons, people swinging their swords, and against the walls were dummies tied to posts every ten feet or so.

"This isn't what I was expecting…" MJ looked around.

"This is exactly what I was expecting," Peter followed up.

MJ looked at him strangely, "It doesn't even have a weightlifting machine."

"No, but Asgardians can probably bench press planets, so making something heavy enough to actually give them a decent work out is more trouble than it's worth. Of course, we have several workarounds they haven't considered."

Sif looked at Peter with a funny expression, "You know an awful lot about us."

"Well, when you're connected to the web of life and destiny, you know a lot about the multiverse. Asgardians play prominent roles in just about all of them. I've seen what the strongest versions of you guys can do."

"I haven't heard of this web you speak of," Sif replied.

"Think of it like a power that is on par or surpasses the Odin Force," Peter grinned.

"Impossible," Sif's eyes widened.

"Not really. You know of the Multiverse, yes?"

Sif nodded her head.

"Well, the Web of Life and Destiny is what holds it all together. It is the very fabric of our multiverse. Which means, several versions of the Odin Force exist in it, yet they can never tap into the Web or even challenge it for that matter. MJ and I are Totems of the Web of Life and Destiny, and we can tap into it with magic."

"But we're nowhere near as strong as an Asgardian. We're still learning the ropes," MJ added.

"Don't you mean webs?" Peter chuckled.

"Funny... still…I thought there'd be more here. like a magic assisting gym," Mary Jane looked around.

Peter walked over to the rack of wooden swords, "I don't think this place is as simple as we thought. Are these made from the branches of Yggdrasil?"

"Yes, but only the ones that have fallen or are pruned by Rattatoskr to keep it healthy."

Peter cringed upon hearing that name. That naughty squirrel has been a main villain more than a few times in Marvel history. However, he never heard of him being the World Tree's caretaker.

"Is he the same one from Norse Mythology?" MJ asked.

Sif raised an eyebrow, "They still have legends of us on Earth?"

"Well, not all of it is accurate. For instance, Thor and you were married, and clearly, that's not the case. So, we don't know the full extent of how much was kept accurate. Ratatoskr was known for running messages up and down the tree."

Sif looked a bit surprised to hear Earthlings thought that she was the bride of Thor. "I see…well, he still does that, but for more than 10,000 years, it has been his responsibility to not only groom the tree but protect it as well."

"I hope it stays that way," Peter thought to himself.

"So, this place isn't what it seems?" MJ lifted a brow.

"I'm pretty sure everything here is enchanted and almost if not indestructible," Peter smiled.

"You mentioned a work around for increasing our strength," Sif changed the subject.

"Oh, yeah. You just have to think you're lifting something heavier than you can carry. Strain the muscles with every movement, imagine a planet weighing you down, and keep that up every day. On earth, we call this imaginary training, but if you're lacking imagination, illusion spells are a good alternative."

"I see, we just need to convince our bodies that we are lifting at our greatest capabilities…an interesting method."

"How effective could it be? We are gods, we have no limits," Fandral said as he winked at MJ.

MJ blanched as she shook her head, "So not my type."

"Well, I didn't hear about you getting a tie with Thor, so I know that whole all gods are born equal thing isn't true. Seriously, how can you expect to improve if you don't acknowledge your weaknesses?" Peter shook his head while Thor snorted.

"He has point," Hogun nodded his head.

"Ahahahah! He's got you there, that was a pretty stupid thing to say," Volstagg pointed his finger at his longtime friend.

"Well step up, I'm curious to see how I stack up against an Elf," Peter smirked.

"Draw your sword," Fandral said as he unsheathed a pair of sabers.

"A real man fights with his hands," Peter smirked as took a stance.

Thor grinned widely while Sif looked confused at his expression and asked, "What is it?"

"It's what makes my friend such a deadly opponent. He gets inside your head and messes with you. Watch, Fandral will be dancing in his hands."

Sif looked on as the Elf huffed and put his blades away, "Fists it is."

"Well, come on, pretty boy, I ain't got all day," Peter wagged his finger for him to approach.

Fandral rushed forward with intense speed and threw a punch Peter almost couldn't keep up with.