Chương 24: Chapter 23
In Asgard, Hermione Granger was in her element, and it was like watching a kid in a candy store—if that kid had an encyclopedic knowledge of ancient texts and an insatiable curiosity. The library of Asgard was a veritable treasure trove of knowledge, with shelves so high they seemed to touch the sky and artifacts that looked like they belonged in a museum. Hermione's eyes were practically sparkling as she skimmed the spines of dusty tomes.
"This is incredible," Hermione said, her voice almost reverent. "I've never seen a collection like this. The Asgardian runes alone—do you know how many magical properties we're only just beginning to understand?"
Tonks, standing nearby, couldn't help but chuckle at Hermione's enthusiasm. "Looks like we've lost her to the books," she quipped with a grin.
Fleur, casually browsing through a nearby shelf, nodded. "Oui, she is absolutely in 'er element. It's rather charming, really."
Susan and Luna were also captivated, each finding their own favorite nooks. Sersi, with her extensive experience in ancient libraries, was just as impressed by Asgard's unique collection.
Hermione, clutching a particularly ancient and ornately decorated book, turned to the group, her face glowing with excitement. "Did you know these texts could shed light on entire magical systems we've barely scratched the surface of? I'm going to be here for days—no, weeks—unearthing all this knowledge!"
Sersi smiled warmly at Hermione's passion. "The knowledge here is unparalleled. Even my own studies have barely skimmed the surface of what Asgard's library holds."
Luna, her gaze dreamy as she examined a delicate scroll, added, "It's like stepping into a world where every corner holds a secret. The energy here is so... harmonious, as though it's alive with stories waiting to be told."
Harry, watching from a distance, couldn't help but smile at Hermione's enthusiasm. He approached her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Enjoying yourself, I see?"
Hermione looked up, her eyes twinkling. "Harry, this place is a goldmine of information. I could spend a lifetime here and still not uncover all its secrets."
Harry chuckled. "Well, we might not have a lifetime, but we can certainly make the most of our time here. I'm glad you're finding it so inspiring."
As they wandered deeper into the library, the group marveled at the incredible wealth of knowledge. Each person found their own way to appreciate the vast repository of wisdom, and Hermione's excitement was infectious, making it clear that they were all in for an enlightening adventure.
—
Back in the bustling city of London, Jane Foster was trying her best to make small talk with her date, Richard, at a cozy café. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and the gentle hum of conversation creating a pleasant backdrop. But for Jane, who was half-distracted by thoughts of her latest research, the conversation felt like a chore.
"So, Jane," Richard said, trying to sound interested, "what exactly do you do?"
Jane offered a polite smile, though her mind was clearly elsewhere. "I'm an astrophysicist. I study celestial phenomena and the mysteries of the universe."
Richard looked impressed but slightly out of his depth. "Wow, that sounds amazing. I work in marketing, so... not quite as exciting."
Jane chuckled, appreciating his effort. "Marketing is important too. It helps people find what they need."
Just as the conversation was getting awkward, the café door burst open with the dramatic flair of someone auditioning for a superhero role. In stormed Darcy Lewis, Jane's eccentric and perpetually disheveled intern. Darcy plopped down at their table, grabbed a handful of breadsticks, and started munching like she hadn't eaten in days.
"Jane! You won't believe what just happened!" Darcy exclaimed, her mouth full of breadstick crumbs.
Jane's eyes widened in a mix of surprise and embarrassment. "Darcy, this is not the best time."
Darcy, oblivious to the social faux pas, continued to snack. "Oh, right. Hi, I'm Darcy, Jane's wingwoman. So, Richard, what are your intentions with Jane?"
Richard, clearly taken aback, sputtered, "Uh, well, I just wanted to get to know her better."
Darcy nodded thoughtfully, still chewing. "Right, right. So, are you a dog person or a cat person? This is crucial."
Jane tried to regain control of the situation. "Darcy, please—"
But Darcy, now fully committed to her role as interrogator, held up a finger. "Just one more thing. How do you feel about astrophysics? And long-distance relationships? Are you into spontaneous trips to other realms? Oh, and what's your stance on threesomes—ever thought about that?"
Richard's face turned an impressive shade of red, and he struggled to find words. "I, um... hadn't really—"
Jane, mortified and desperate to salvage the date, interrupted. "Darcy, seriously, that's enough."
Darcy, who was already onto her next thought, grinned at the sudden arrival of her intern, Ian. "Oh, Jane, this is Ian. He's my intern's intern. Ian, this is Dr. Jane Foster."
Jane's jaw dropped. "Darcy, you can't have an intern. You're an intern yourself!"
Darcy waved her hand dismissively. "Details, details. Ian, show Jane the thing."
Ian, slightly bemused, handed Jane a tablet. "Here's the data. Darcy thought you'd want to see it."
Jane's eyes widened as she scanned the data on the tablet. "These readings... they're showing anomalous signals from an abandoned warehouse. This is huge."
Richard, feeling increasingly out of place, cleared his throat. "Is everything okay?"
Jane looked at him apologetically. "I'm really sorry, Richard. This is important. We need to check this out."
Richard forced a smile, trying to be understanding. "It's alright. Maybe we can reschedule?"
Jane gave him a grateful nod. "I'd like that. Thank you for understanding."
As Jane, Darcy, and Ian quickly gathered their things, Richard watched them go with a mix of confusion and admiration. Jane was already engrossed in the data, her mind racing with possibilities.
Outside the café, Jane turned to Darcy. "Did you bring the car?"
Darcy patted her pockets frantically. "I swear I had them..."
Ian, with an eye roll that could rival the best of them, produced the keys from his pocket. "I drove Darcy here."
Jane smiled in relief. "Thanks, Ian. Let's get moving. We need to investigate these anomalies."
Darcy, finally noticing Ian's helpfulness, gave him a sheepish grin. "Yeah, what would I do without my intern?"
Ian shrugged with a smirk. "Probably lose a lot more than just keys."
As they piled into the car, Jane couldn't help but feel grateful for her odd but endearing team. With Darcy and Ian by her side, she was ready to uncover the secrets behind the mysterious signals, even if it meant enduring a few more of Darcy's eccentricities.
—
As Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three touched down back in Asgard from their adventure in Vanaheim, they were met by Heimdall at the Bifrost. Heimdall, ever the vigilant guardian with his eyes that seemed to see everything everywhere, greeted them with a knowing glint.
"Heimdall!" Thor called out, the kind of voice that made you think he was in the middle of an epic speech, even if he was just asking about the weather. "Any news while we were off having our epic adventures?"
Heimdall gave a solemn nod. "Your guests are currently in the Asgardian Library."
Sif raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Guests? We've only been gone a few days. Who could possibly need a library that badly?"
Thor's face lit up with that mischievous grin of his, the kind that usually preceded either a grand tale or an epic battle. "Ah, yes. Harry Potter and his crew are here."
Fandral's eyes sparkled with interest. "Harry Potter? The wizard from Midgard? The one with the lightning scar?"
"Indeed," Thor confirmed, his voice dripping with pride like he was talking about a long-lost buddy. "Harry and his wives are visiting, and they're here to witness the Convergence."
Volstagg, who never missed a chance for a good laugh, let out a hearty chuckle. "A wizard from Midgard visiting Asgard again? This should be good."
Hogun, the stoic member of the group, simply gave a nod, as if he was mentally preparing himself for the spectacle of it all. "I look forward to seeing him again."
As they headed toward the library, Thor filled them in with the enthusiasm of someone who's just discovered the ultimate secret. "Harry's not just any wizard. He and his companions have displayed immense bravery and wisdom. It'll be quite the honor to share our knowledge and culture with them."
Sif, though her curiosity was clearly piqued, trusted Thor's judgment. "If you vouch for them, Thor, they must be impressive indeed."
With that, they moved through the grand halls of Asgard, heading toward the library where Harry and his entourage were eagerly exploring the vast wealth of knowledge. Little did they know, this meeting was set to bring together some of the most extraordinary individuals from different realms, all converging in a place where magic and might danced in harmony.
—
As Thor and his crew approached the library, they found Harry Potter and his wives completely absorbed in the treasures of Asgardian knowledge. And by "absorbed," I mean Hermione was practically vibrating with excitement as she talked Sersi's ear off about some ancient Asgardian text, while the others were scattered around like kids in a candy shop—only with books instead of candy.
Harry looked up, his face lighting up with a grin that could probably power the Bifrost. "Thor! Welcome back, mate."
Thor, always one for grand entrances, nodded and motioned to the group behind him. "Harry, allow me to reintroduce Sif and the Warriors Three: Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun. Everyone, this is Harry Potter, the wizard of Midgard you may remember."
Fandral gave one of his signature charming smiles. "A pleasure to see you again, Harry. It's been far too long."
Harry shook his hand, laughing. "Likewise. Always an honor to be back among Asgard's best."
Meanwhile, Sif tried to act casual, but there was a flicker of something—excitement, maybe?—when she saw Harry again. Luna, who was lounging nearby in a robe that looked like it had been fashioned from a nebula, nudged Fleur with a knowing smile. Fleur gave her a soft, bemused chuckle, though her eyes glimmered with interest.
The introductions moved swiftly to Harry's companions, all of whom had their own reactions to being in the presence of Asgard's finest warriors. Hermione, still clutching her book as if it might vanish, stepped forward. "It's an absolute honor to be here," she said, her voice brimming with that classic Hermione blend of confidence and awe. "Your library is… well, there are no words. The sheer depth of knowledge—it's extraordinary!"
Sif gave her a smile, though maybe a tad overwhelmed by the intellectual energy Hermione was radiating. "I'm glad you find it so," Sif replied. "There's much more to explore."
"Believe me," Hermione added, "I plan to explore all of it. I've already started a system to cross-reference your historical texts with Midgard's mythology." She paused and then glanced around, realizing maybe she'd been a bit too enthusiastic. "But, um, I'll pace myself."
Fleur, on the other hand, was leaning against one of the towering bookshelves, looking every bit like she'd stepped out of an old French painting. With her Veela allure humming in the air, she gave the Warriors Three a soft smile that could probably melt steel. But beneath that perfect, graceful exterior was someone who didn't miss a thing. "Asgard is beautiful," she said, her voice as smooth as silk. "Though I think Harry might have told you zat already."
Volstagg, trying to maintain his usual boisterous composure, cleared his throat. "Yes, quite the charmer, isn't he?" He gave Harry a grin, but his eyes kept flicking back to Fleur, like he wasn't sure if he should be asking her for a dance or directions to the nearest exit.
Susan, meanwhile, had her face buried in a book about Asgardian healing magic, her red hair tumbling over her shoulder as she frowned in concentration. "This is… amazing," she murmured, more to herself than anyone. She glanced up just in time to catch Volstagg's curious look and gave him a small, shy smile—still not entirely convinced she wasn't the awkward redhead from her Hogwarts days. But if the way her gravity-defying assets made Volstagg do a double-take was any indication, she had come a long way from that chubby kid with the loose hair.
Luna, as usual, was off in her own little world, draped across a chair, flipping through a book that was probably upside down. "I think we'll find what we're looking for when the moon tells us," she said cryptically to no one in particular. Her big, dreamy eyes caught Sif's, and she winked. Sif, momentarily thrown, blinked before turning back to Thor, pretending she wasn't just spiritually analyzed by the strangest person in the room.
Then there was Tonks—who promptly tripped over one of the library's ornate rugs, because of course she did. "Wotcher!" she called out, recovering with the grace of someone who's spent their whole life being clumsy and still managing to look cool doing it. She grinned at the Asgardians, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Nice place you've got here. Could use fewer rugs, though. Almost hexed the thing."
Hogun just gave her a slow nod, the kind that said he was amused but would never, ever admit it out loud.
As they settled into conversation, the atmosphere in the library shifted from formal introductions to something more relaxed, with an air of camaraderie filling the space. Harry exchanged stories of Midgard with Thor, while Hermione continued to quietly geek out over the wealth of information available to her. Fleur and Luna shared a quiet moment of laughter, and Tonks managed to not trip for a whole five minutes.
The realms of Midgard and Asgard may have been worlds apart, but right then, in that library full of ancient knowledge and new friendships, they might as well have been one and the same.
—
The abandoned warehouse loomed ahead, looking like the kind of place you'd expect a zombie or two to wander out of. But that's not what had Jane, Darcy, and Ian staring slack-jawed. No, it was the truck. The one hanging in the air, spinning lazily like it had nowhere else to be.
Jane adjusted her glasses, her brain firing on all cylinders. "Okay, that is definitely not supposed to happen."
Darcy's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, this is awesome!" She beelined for the warehouse entrance, already itching to join whatever chaos was going on inside. Because, of course, Darcy couldn't resist a little weirdness.
As they stepped into the warehouse, the weirdness dial cranked up to eleven. A bunch of kids were running around like it was recess, except they were tossing things through portals. And not just any portals—portals that made things disappear a couple of floors down, only to reappear a couple of floors up. It was like the warehouse had been transformed into a living, breathing game of pinball.
Darcy, ever the instigator, didn't waste a second. She pulled out her car keys—her car keys—and hurled them into the portal. "Wheee!"
Jane's face went from wonder to exasperation in two seconds flat. "Darcy, no! We need those to, you know, *drive*."
"Chill, Jane. They'll come back around," Darcy said, flashing her a grin.
And, of course, because the universe loves chaos (especially when Darcy's around), the keys reappeared above their heads, plummeting back down. Jane's eye twitched. Ian, the more reasonable of the three, squinted at the swirling anomalies, scribbling notes in a notepad that had seen way too many weird things for one lifetime.
"This loop... it's remarkable," Ian muttered, tapping his pencil against his lip. "We should document everything."
"Right, Ian. Documenting. Science. That thing we came here for." Jane shot Darcy a look before getting to work. She pulled out her tablet and started scanning the anomalies, her eyes darting between the floating truck at the entrance and the portal-happy kids.
Darcy, keys now safely back in hand, handed them over with a sheepish smile. "Okay, my bad. But you have to admit, this place is like an amusement park for physicists."
"Yeah, except one wrong move, and you could end up stuck in a loop forever," Jane said, shaking her head but smiling despite herself.
"Hey, what's life without a little risk?" Darcy shot back, winking.
Jane rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small grin tugging at her lips. Darcy was a handful, but she made life... interesting.
Meanwhile, Ian was busy scribbling formulas like his life depended on it, oblivious to the back-and-forth banter. Jane glanced at him, then at the floating truck, then at the portals.
"Okay, team," she said, her voice taking on that determined, *we're-about-to-make-science-history* tone. "Let's figure out exactly what's going on here. Gravitational anomalies, spatial distortions—this could be groundbreaking."
Darcy saluted dramatically. "You got it, boss. Science first, fun later."
With that, the trio got to work, measuring, recording, and observing as the kids continued their portal shenanigans. They knew they were onto something big. And as Jane glanced at the suspended truck again, she couldn't help but think, "Yeah, this could get really interesting."
—
Back in Asgard, Thor, Harry, and their merry band of companions made their way across the shimmering Bifrost, their boots clinking against the glowing rainbow bridge. It was all very dramatic and heroic—exactly what you'd expect when you're heading to talk to Heimdall, the guy who literally sees *everything* in the cosmos. No pressure.
Heimdall, of course, was already standing at his post, looking majestic and all-knowing as usual. He didn't need a magic eye, though, to know who was coming. As soon as they arrived, he turned his intense, golden gaze toward them.
"Thor," Heimdall greeted with his signature nod. "Harry, welcome back."
Thor grinned, but it wasn't his usual carefree smile. There was a storm brewing in his eyes. "Heimdall, we need an update on the Convergence."
Cue Heimdall's serious voice. "The Convergence is almost at its peak. The Nine Realms are aligning. Soon, the barriers between them will weaken, and the effects will be felt across the cosmos."
Harry, always the curious one, chimed in. "What kind of effects are we talking about here? Something mild, like a sprinkle of magic—or full-on, apocalyptic chaos?"
Heimdall's golden eyes glimmered as he answered. "Portals will open, connecting different realms. It's a time of great opportunity... but also great danger."
Of course, *Thor* immediately zeroed in on the danger. "And what of Jane? What is she up to?"
Heimdall shifted his gaze for a moment, focusing on something far, far away. "Dr. Jane Foster is investigating spatial anomalies in London. She's currently in an abandoned warehouse, studying portals not unlike those we'll see during the Convergence."
Thor's brows knitted together in concern. "Is she safe?"
"For now," Heimdall replied, ever the master of suspense. "But the anomalies are growing stronger. She could soon be in over her head."
Before Thor could get any heroic ideas, Harry, ever the voice of reason these days, placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thor, Jane's got this. She's brilliant. Plus, she's got Darcy and Ian with her. You know Darcy will keep things... well, lively, at least. We need you here for the Convergence."
Thor clenched his fists, clearly not thrilled with the idea of *not* rushing off to save the day. "I won't let her face this alone."
Hermione, who had been standing quietly beside Harry, finally spoke up, her voice calm but decisive. "We can monitor the situation from here, Thor. Thanks to Tony, I've got a direct link to Jane's data feed. If anything changes, we'll know right away, and you can go to her. But right now, you're needed here."
Hermione, always the clever one, had already done her homework. She'd been up late researching everything she could about the Convergence, gravitational anomalies, and, well, basically everything. That's just who she was—a walking, talking library with a knack for making everyone else feel like they'd forgotten to study. But it wasn't just her knowledge that made her so reliable—it was her logic, her levelheadedness. She wasn't one for impulsive decisions (unlike certain other people in the group).
Thor hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded. "You're right, Hermione. But the moment I sense any real danger—"
"We'll be ready," Harry finished for him, giving Thor a reassuring smile.
Meanwhile, Fleur, who had been leaning elegantly against a column (because of course she was), shot Harry a sultry smile. "Don't worry, darling. If Jane gets into trouble, I'm sure we'll find a way to... assist her. After all, we've always been good at working together, haven't we?" Her French accent made even casual flirting sound like poetry. Harry raised an eyebrow at her, but Fleur just gave him a wink. Ever the classy Veela, she knew exactly how to keep everyone guessing, even when she wasn't trying.
Susan, always the practical one despite her insecurities, chimed in. "Thor, you're not doing anyone any favors by running off half-cocked. Jane needs you to trust her, just like we all do." Her voice was soft but firm—exactly the kind of voice you needed when trying to talk sense into stubborn gods. She crossed her arms, her red hair catching the light in a way that made her look even more stunning than usual, though she'd probably never believe it herself.
Luna, dreamily watching the Bifrost shimmer beneath her feet, piped up, seemingly out of nowhere. "I wouldn't worry too much, Thor. Jane's in no more danger than a Nargle stuck in a lemon meringue pie. She'll be fine. For now." She gave a little giggle and twirled a strand of her hair. It was impossible to tell if Luna had just made that up or if she actually knew something the rest of them didn't. Probably both.
Tonks, lounging nearby with her arms behind her head, just grinned. "Wotcher, Thor. If Jane gets into a real pickle, we'll all jump in. No worries. But for now, let's focus on not letting the realms collapse on top of each other, yeah?" Her hair turned bright purple, a telltale sign she was in a good mood—despite the looming cosmic disaster.
With a shared sense of determination (and a little healthy fear), the group prepared for what was to come. The Convergence was nearly upon them, and if they weren't ready, the Nine Realms would soon be one very confusing, very dangerous mess.
—
As Jane continued documenting the anomalies, her tablet pinged with a new signal. Naturally, because the universe apparently loved throwing weird cosmic stuff at her, this one looked even weirder than the last. She squinted at the screen.
"Huh… that's different," she muttered, tapping a few buttons. The anomaly was more concentrated, almost like it was daring her to come check it out. And, well, who was Jane to refuse a good science mystery?
"Ian, Darcy," Jane called over her shoulder, her eyes still glued to the tablet. "There's another anomaly nearby. I'm going to check it out."
Ian barely glanced up from his own notes. "Got it, Jane. We'll keep documenting this... floating truck situation."
Darcy, who was busy trying to get a picture of said floating truck (probably to post online later), gave a distracted thumbs-up. "Yeah, go science!" she said, not even bothering to hide the excitement in her voice.
Jane rolled her eyes but smiled. Darcy had her own brand of enthusiasm, and it was hard not to appreciate it, even if it involved weird selfies with levitating vehicles.
Satisfied that Ian and Darcy had things covered—or, you know, as covered as things could be with floating trucks and mysterious portals—Jane followed the signal deeper into the warehouse. Because, of course, that's where the weirdest stuff happens: in the creepiest, most abandoned parts of buildings. Classic sci-fi horror trope, right? But Jane wasn't about to let a little eerie lighting stop her. Nope. She was a scientist on a mission.
Eventually, the signal led her to a secluded corner of the warehouse, where she stopped dead in her tracks. There, hovering in front of her like something straight out of a Marvel movie (which, to be fair, was her life now), was a glowing portal. It pulsed with energy, all shimmery and mysterious, like it was just begging her to walk into it.
"Yeah, because stepping into strange portals always ends well," she muttered sarcastically to herself. But hey, this wasn't her first cosmic rodeo.
She took a deep breath, tightening her grip on her tablet. "For science," she whispered, as if that would somehow make this less terrifying.
With one last glance back to make sure Ian and Darcy weren't accidentally floating off into space or something, she squared her shoulders and stepped through the portal. Because why not? If weird glowing portals were going to keep popping up, someone had to figure out what was going on—and that someone was Jane Freaking Foster.
—
Meanwhile, back in Asgard, Thor, Harry, and the rest of the gang strode purposefully toward the Bifrost, the shimmering rainbow bridge practically glowing beneath their feet. Because if you're going to check in on an impending cosmic event, why not do it with some serious style?
Thor wasted no time. "Heimdall," he called, voice booming like a thunderclap (because of course it did), "how goes the Convergence? And what of Jane? Is she alright?"
Heimdall, normally the epitome of calm, furrowed his brow. And when Heimdall furrows his brow, you know something's up. "The Convergence proceeds as expected," he said, his tone way too serious for anyone's comfort. "However, I have lost sight of Dr. Jane Foster. She was investigating an anomaly in London… and has vanished from my vision."
Thor's eyes went wide, his classic 'worried superhero' face kicking in. "Jane has disappeared? We must go to her at once."
Now, Harry, who had been quietly watching Thor do his heroic thing, stepped forward with the air of someone who had seen his fair share of weirdness. "I'll come with you, Thor," he said. "London is kind of my old stomping ground—okay, different universe, but close enough. Plus, magic and weird portals? Right up my alley."
Thor, always appreciative of a good teammate, nodded. "Thank you, Harry. Let's move quickly."
Harry couldn't resist throwing in a grin. "Yeah, because when have we ever done anything slowly?"
And with that, they prepared to zip off to London, where things were undoubtedly about to get very interesting. Because, really, when does a cosmic convergence and a disappearing scientist ever lead to anything boring?
—
Meanwhile, Jane Foster found herself in a room that was, well, definitely not on Earth. You didn't need a PhD to figure that out. The walls were alien—seriously alien—glowing with a weird pulsating light that made everything feel like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie. And, okay, Jane had seen some pretty weird stuff in her time, but this? This was next-level.
"Okay, Jane," she muttered to herself, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and the kind of fear that comes when you realize you might be way out of your depth. "Not Kansas anymore…"
In the center of the room floated something that looked like it had stepped straight out of a mad scientist's dream. A glowing, red, viscous… thing was just hanging there, totally ignoring the laws of gravity. Jane squinted at it, curiosity winning out over caution. The thing pulsed with energy, and she had no idea she was staring at the Aether—a cosmic force of pure, ancient power. No big deal.
"What is this?" she whispered, her voice echoing off the alien walls, because of course it did.
Without thinking (because thinking clearly was for people not standing in front of strange alien goo), Jane extended a hand. She hesitated for about two seconds before her scientific side kicked in. Her fingers brushed the liquid, and that's when things went from "this is weird" to "oh no, this is really, really bad."
The Aether reacted instantly, flaring up like it was happy to see her. The glow intensified, and Jane's eyes widened in a "yep, this was a mistake" kind of way as the energy snaked up her arm. It felt… not great. Kind of like sticking your finger in an electrical socket but also weirdly exhilarating at the same time. Like, "Hey, I might be dying, but this is cool."
Before she could even think of pulling away, the Aether had other ideas. It latched onto her, spreading faster than her brain could process. Jane tried to move, but nope—the weird alien goo had her trapped, and it wasn't letting go.
Suddenly, everything blurred, and the room started spinning like a Tilt-A-Whirl from space. Jane felt energy surge through her, stronger and darker than anything she'd ever imagined. She was getting sucked in, and all she could think was, "Thor is never going to let me live this down."
And just like that, she was pulled into the swirling red depths of the Aether.
—
When Jane came to, she found herself back in the warehouse, disoriented, shaky, and feeling like she had just been hit by an Asgardian-sized freight train. Her brain was doing that weird thing where everything was a jumbled mess of flashing images and alien goo. Fun times.
She stood up, wobbling a bit, trying to make sense of what just happened. The last thing she remembered was that definitely-not-normal glowing red liquid swallowing her whole. So, yeah, not your average Tuesday.
As she stumbled back toward the others, she spotted Darcy and Ian chatting with… the cops? Great, she thought, just what this day needed: a police interrogation. Darcy was the first to notice her, and in typical Darcy fashion, she sprinted over like Jane had just returned from the dead—which, okay, maybe wasn't too far off.
"JANE!" Darcy screeched, throwing her arms around her in a hug that could rival a bear's. "Where have you been? We were freaking out!" She pulled back, her eyes wide and filled with relief.
Jane blinked, still kind of lost in her own head. "Uh, why are the cops here?"
Darcy stepped back, waving a hand like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Because you disappeared for like... I don't know, a while. We couldn't find you anywhere!"
Ian came up, looking equally worried but less likely to launch himself at her. "Yeah, you went to check out that signal and poof—no more Jane. We thought something bad happened."
Before Jane could explain—or, you know, try to figure out what to explain—a beam of light suddenly shot down nearby. The Bifrost, because apparently, when it rains crazy, it pours Asgardian. Out stepped Thor and Harry, looking all intense like they were in the middle of a Marvel poster shoot. Thor's face softened when he saw her, clearly relieved, but Jane wasn't feeling the warm fuzzies right now.
"Jane!" Thor called out, striding over. "Are you alright?"
Without thinking, Jane did the only logical thing: she punched him. Right in the jaw. Because, honestly, he deserved it.
"Where have you been?" she snapped, crossing her arms. "You were literally on Earth, fighting evil robot armies, and you couldn't stop by for a quick 'Hey, Jane, how's it going?'"
Thor rubbed his jaw, wincing slightly. "I... I'm sorry, Jane. There was a lot happening, and I thought—"
"Nope," Jane interrupted, waving her hand. "You don't get to 'I thought' me. You decided to leave me out of the loop, and I am not okay with that."
Meanwhile, as Thor attempted to awkwardly apologize, Darcy was fully ignoring the tension and had her sights set on Harry. And, of course, Darcy being Darcy, she turned the flirting dial up to eleven.
"So," she started with a sly smile, sidling up to Harry, "you're the Seidr, huh? I've heard so much about you." She looked him up and down. "Do all wizards have that rugged 'I've-seen-some-stuff' look, or is that just your thing? Because, honestly, I'm digging it."
Harry blinked, a little thrown off by Darcy's forwardness. "Uh… thanks? I don't really… think about that?"
Darcy leaned in closer, ignoring all boundaries like a pro. "Well, if you ever feel like showing off those magic tricks, I'm totally free. And hey, I'm great with teamwork."
Harry, looking like he was considering whether he could make himself invisible right then and there, managed a polite, "I'll keep that in mind."
Jane, overhearing the not-so-subtle flirting, shot Darcy a really? look. "Darcy, can we not right now?"
Darcy held up her hands in mock innocence. "What? Just saying what we're all thinking." She threw a wink at Harry, who looked like he was praying for Mjolnir to hit him and end this conversation.
Before things could get more awkward, a beat cop wandered over, his face serious. "Excuse me, miss," he said, looking at Jane. "We need you to come with us for questioning. There are some things we need to discuss."
The cop barely got the words out before a sudden pulse of red energy blasted out of Jane. The guy went flying, landing a few feet away in a dazed heap.
Thor immediately stepped in front of Jane, his eyes wide. "Jane!" he called, trying to keep his voice calm. "Are you alright?"
Jane looked down at her hands, completely freaked out. "I—I think so?" she stammered. But she wasn't sure. The Aether had wrapped itself around her, and she could *feel* it—dark, powerful, and definitely not friendly.
The other officers, understandably freaked out, had already drawn their weapons. Darcy and Ian exchanged nervous glances while Harry calmly stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation.
"She's not a threat," Harry said, with a calmness that probably came from saving the world a few dozen times. "There's a lot more going on here than you realize. Please, let us handle it."
The officers hesitated, clearly not wanting to mess with magic-wielding aliens or wizards. They slowly lowered their weapons, though their hands hovered near them, just in case.
Thor turned to Harry, his face serious. "We need to take her to Asgard. The Aether—whatever it's doing to her—can't be dealt with here."
Harry nodded, already on the same page. "Agreed. Let's move before things get worse."
Thor lifted Mjolnir, summoning the Bifrost. "Heimdall!" he called, his voice echoing across the realms. "We need transport. Now."
Within seconds, the Bifrost opened up again, its light blazing through the darkening sky. Thor motioned for Harry and Jane to step closer. As they prepared to leave, Darcy, in her usual fashion, muttered something completely inappropriate for the situation.
"Well, there they go," she said, watching the trio disappear into the light. "Guess I missed my chance to get into the hot wizard's pants."
Ian shot her an exasperated look. "Darcy. Seriously?"
"What?" Darcy shrugged, crossing her arms. "Like you weren't thinking it."
With the Bifrost's light fading, Darcy, Ian, and the bewildered cops stood there, uncertain of what would come next. Because if this was the warm-up, they were all in for a wild ride.
---
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