Merry Christmas
and have
a Happy New Year
Chapter .3.
7 Days Later…
It had been seven days since the Battle and everyone had been trying to clean up the mess before they all had to go to Asgard. They were still unsure what that woman meant and why she wanted them to go to Asgard.
They had been shocked to find nothing out of the ordinary with Coulson's tests with his blood or his physical. The Doctors and Scientists didn't know what this Princess Iythssa did but it appears to be good and had not side effects.
Thor had been telling them about the Nightshades and how mysterious they were and how they protected the planets worth protecting.
Now they had all been gathered on the helicarrier outside ready to go to Asgard. Everyone that had been named by Princess Iythssa was there. Thor was only worried about where Janes was as Darcy and Erik told his Janes left a note saying a family emergency had come up and was gone before they woke.
Thor also had to keep as eye on Loki who had been unnaturally silent. That made all the Avengers on edge. They all wondered what Loki could be up too.
They had all grieved for Tony. But decided to hold a memorial when they got back from Asgard or wherever they were going. But Pepper and Rhodey had taken the Avengers to the Tower to show them some of Tony's life but JARVIS hadn't come online. Pepper said Tony probably programmed JARVIS to shut down in the event of his death.
But the Avengers had all marvelled at his lab. They wished they could get to know the man who saved everyone.
They were broken out of their thoughts by the BiFrost coming down.
"Hold tight", Thor booms
Soon they where soring through space. They all marvelled at what they were seeing. But in a minute it was over and they were in front of a tall black stranger and had gold eyes.
"Welcome to Asgard. I am Heimdall, Gate Keeper of Asgard", Heimdall introduces himself
"Thank you", Steve says politely
"The Allfather and Queen are waiting", Heimdall says gesturing to the city
The Avengers and the others gasp at the magnificent city they were in front off. They see a craft waiting for them with a male and female on it. They introduced themselves as Frandral and Lady Sif, part of the Warriors Three.
They were quickly herded into the craft and Frandral shows them the city before parking outside the palace.
"Remember respect the Allfather", Thor reminds them
"We will follow your lead", Natasha says softly
Thor nods and moves them inside with Loki at his side with the Tesseract in his other hand. The throne room was nearly all gold. On a big throne was an old man with an eye patch and a beautiful woman watching them with happiness. As she walks down gracefully and hugs Loki who stiffens.
"I just knew you were alive", Frigga says to Loki
"Hello Mother", Loki says softly
"Thor, Heimdall said you were bringing guests. Why bring mortals to the Realm Eternal?" Odin booms
"Father. After the battle on Midgard we got a visitor telling us we needed to come here in one week from the day she arrived. We had no chose but to obey", Thor says bowing
"Who has the authority to order a Prince of Asgard?" Odin asks
"Princess Iythssa Nightshade", Thor says softly
Gasps come from around the court. Everyone was shocked a Nightshade had showed themselves to mortals of Midgard.
"Are you sure it was a Nightshade?" Odin asks
"She had the power of one father. And bought a comrade back from death", Thor explains
"The person was me your Majesty", Coulson adds bowing
"Interesting. It has been a while since a Nightshade has been seen anywhere", Odin muses
"What would they gain from this? This smells fishy", Fury growls
"Strategic value?" Natasha suggests
"Pawns?" Rhodey asks
"Maybe they know something about the Chitauri?" Bruce suggests
"Maybe they know something about the Tesseract?" Clint suggests
"Loki knows that", Maria says
Loki didn't even look at them.
"Loki you will be imprisoned in the Dungeons…", Odin starts
"Actually he won't King of Asgard, of the Realm Eternal and for your information we aren't using anyone", a female voice says
Everyone turns to see a regal woman with wings like Princess Iythssa but it wasn't Iythssa.
"Your Highness Nightshade", Odin says bowing his head in respect of a Nightshade
"I am Princess Vastra Nightshade. I am come to escort you", Princess Vastra says softly
"Escort us where?" Steve asks
"To Nightstar, in the Night Empire, in the Mystery Galaxy, the home of the Royal Family of Nightshades", Princess Vastra replies smiling gently at their shocked expressions
"Why your Highness? What does this business on Midgard effect your family?" Odin asks
"It effects all of you in different ways. But you will find out soon", Princess Vastra replies
"What about Loki?" Frigga asks
"He will be given a trial today on Nightstar. Don't worry everything will go as planned. Now we must leave when all the Warriors Three and Lady Sif come. You don't need to pack Asgardians as we have everything you will need", Princess Vastra informs them
Odin couldn't argue with a Nightshade and nods an sends for the warriors. He sees the so called 'Midgard hero's' trying to get information out of the Princess but she wouldn't budge.
Soon the Warriors Three and Sif arrive and they were told what was going on. They were shocked that they were getting the honour to go to Nightstar.
"Why is this so important?" Darcy asks
"Because my people and family keep our secrets, secret. Our people like being anonymous", Princess Vastra replies with a smile
They had to admit that was a good reason. So people underestimate their opponent.
"When do we leave?" Odin asks walking to the group
"Now King of Asgard", Princess Vastra says waving her arms and a portal appears, "After all of you"
They all hesitant go through and gasp Nightstar was grander then Asgard. It looked so mysterious.
"This is amazing. What life do you…", Erik starts reeling off questions
"Questions can be asked later. You will be needed for Loki's trial", Princess Vastra says leading them through the city
People were stopping to stare at them some of the children were giggling. Princess Vastra gave flowers to the children who looked delighted she paid them attention. But it also looked like this was a normal part of their day for the people of Nightstar to see one of their royalty with the people.
"The palace. We need to go to the Court Room", Princess Vastra tells them softly
She leads them through the hall of silver, blue, teal and gold marble to a set of double doors. Once opened they gasped at how big it was. There were rows and rows of stands going up the wall that would fit god knows how many people and they stretched around the whole room.
Some of those seats where starting to fill with people. At the end of the room were 14 gold thrones. Some had women in them. Only a couple of those seats weren't filled.
The group noticed all the animals next to the people in the room. There were animals of all types.
"Why all the animals?" Clint asks Princess Vastra
"They are our daemons. They show our soul. They can change to any animal at will", Princess Vastra replies
"Where is yours then?" Darcy asks
"The Nightshades can go galaxies in length without their Daemon with them. The regular people can't go that far from their daemons", Princess Vastra explains patiently, "Now take your place at the table with the seats. I will be staying with you to help you understand.
They all moved to the table nervous as they didn't know what was going on. This was all too different for them.
More seats where filling up with people. Most looked young but some did look old.
"Who are these people?" Natasha asks Princess Vastra softly
"They are Nightshades in one way or another. My father has twelve wives and two husbands. So he had lots of kids and grandkids. Then you have my Uncles and Aunts and Step-Grandparents and you have a lot of people on Council", Princess Vastra replies
"The Council is entirely made of Nightshades?" Fury asks wirily
"Yes. Don't worry every member had sworn an oath to be fair, just, true and loyal", Princess Vastra tells them
Thor looks around and gasps seeing a familiar figure take a seat in the family section.
"Jane's here", Thor reveals shocked
"Where?" Darcy asks excitedly
"Up there", Thor points to the brunette in the family section looking different from when they last saw her.
An Owl was on her shoulder with black and white wings coming out her back. Her eyes met theirs and Jane smiled comforting at them. She looked regal to Thor. She looked like she was at home here.
"Why is Jane here?" Erik asks
"Jane is my niece. She is a Nightshade by birth", Princess Vastra replies smirking at their shocked expressions.
They were speechless. Fury, Hill and Coulson wondered how they missed that Jane wasn't human.
Nearly all the seats where filled when the trumpets blared.
"Ladies and Gentleman I present to you His Imperial Majesty High King Nicodemus Nightshade and High Queen Mayresena of Nightstar!" the herald calls
They see a middle aged man and woman walk out and to the two middle thrones. They both looked old and wise.
"Those are King Nicodemus's wives and husbands next to him in that row showing they are married and bonded", Princess Vastra explains to them
"My family today we welcome Asgardians and Terrans or as some call them Earthlings to Nightstar. The first time in many years that Terrans have come here. These brave warriors faced a great threat a week ago the Chitauri and won...", King Nicodemus starts
"We couldn't have won your Majesty without our comrade Tony's sacrifice", Steve says bowing to the King
Everyone gasped when Steve interrupted the King. But the King just smiled.
"Too true. But somethings are not what they appear Captain Steven Grant Rogers aka Captain America", King Nicodemus replies smiling
"How do you know…", Steve starts
"We have a common ground", King Nicodemus replies
"We don't understand sir", Rhodey says
"And what does this have to do with Loki and his sentence that I will give him?" Odin asks
"King of Asgard, of the Realm Eternal. Loki is going to be trialled here and if we find a valid reason to punish him then we will do it", King Nicodemus replies sternly
"Thank you your Majesty. I never believed Loki would do something like this", Frigga says bowing
"Justice will be served this day. For the people of Terra", King Nicodemus replies
"And for Tony", the Avengers reply
"There seems to be a misunderstanding here. Or facts weren't given to you", King Nicodemus tells them with an amused smile
"We don't understand sir", Rhodey tells him
"Well…", Nicodemus starts as the Courtroom doors open
There was a man in the door black wings spread wide out the persons back. He was in a uniform. A Panther was by his side. The mans arm was in a sling suggesting he had been injured recently. He had swords on belts on his hips.
But what really shocked them was when he walked into the light.
There standing tall, proud and regal was none other then Anthony Edward Stark. A person that died a week ago today.
The group from Earth couldn't held it their jaws dropped in shock and they whispered.
"Tony?"
Author's Note: What do you think? Please review:)