Chapter Text
Tony read the report and tried to understand why R&D thought this was a good idea. He knew they had turned it over to him in the hope he could figure out how to power without frying the internal drive and keep the price reasonable for the average Stark Tech client. He looked at his phone, wishing that one of the Avengers would call him. He'd take one of Steve's lectures right now over the debacle in his hands. He could make it work but that wouldn't make it profitable.
He scrapped the plans. No, they would need to redesign it completely. He got up and looked outside his window. It was a nice day. He would go for a flight later and hopefully get rid of some stress. He smirked, maybe he would get lucky and piss of Captain Uptight by showing off a bit and making the news. His smile turned grim.
He liked the idea of the Avengers but somehow they felt like a joke. A group of 'superheroes' fighting war criminals and nerds with delusions of grandeur. In theory those activities should haven taken up most of their time not rounds of publicity work, something Steve was all too familiar with. Poor Bruce had to hulk out more often than not for an event. Although by contrast Natasha and Clint hardly appeared in public, lucky bastards. He grinned at himself. It wasn't like people wouldn't have known he was Iron Man anyways. He had declared it on international news way before the Avengers assembled.
His brows furrowed as he saw the clouds in the horizon darken rapidly. "Jarvis, weather report."
"Expected high of 98 degrees Fahrenheit, sunshine, low cloud coverage."
"What are the chances for rain?"
"5%."
"Well, then that's not good." Lightning flew from the cloud and headed Uptown. "Shit." He saw two rays strike in the distance and saw the lights flickered in the buildings around him. Then the clouds dissipated quickly as they arrived.
"JARVIS, I want to know how common spontaneous lightning is and see if you can find any reason why those clouds formed."
"At once, sir."
He grabbed his phone and waited for a possible call from Fury and SHIELD. His eyes kept scanning the sky, finger impatiently tapping at the phone. A few minutes it rang with the ring tone of the "Star Spangled Man".
"Stark."
"Tony, it's Steve."
"I know it's you, Steve. I see your name pop up when you call."
"Well you said 'Stark'. I know sometimes people just answer without looking."
"Fair Enough. Now, what's up?"
"Did you see what just happened?"
"You mean the mysterious lightning? Yeah I saw that."
"What do you think it is?"
"I don't know. I'm having JARVIS check it out. I hope it's just quirky weather patterns and not an evil scientist trying to control the weather."
"Yeah, me too." Steve sighed. "Do you think we should investigate?"
"If you want, Cap. Not much else to do?" He ventured.
"No. Well there's an assembly I have to attend, but most kids these days don't know who I am anymore. I don’t see the point of it. I'm half-expecting Senator Stern to sign me up for tour with dancers, just like old times. Only this time I’ll get booed off the stage. At least during the war I was selling bonds and believe me, they sold.”
“Don’t worry, cap, I believe you. Lost of lonely women back then I bet. Some day we’ll get something better to do than basic PR.” Tony replied with a laugh.
“Maybe. Still up for checking it out?”
“Yep. Give me a moment to scream at my R&D department then I’m all yours.”
“Great, just don’t expect me to take you out to dinner first.”
“Ah, Cap, you sure know how to treat a guy swell.” Tony snorted. “I’ll see you downstairs say in ten minutes? If we get a call I’ll get there in less time. Should I call the rest of the team?”
“No, I think we should do.” Steve replied and hung up. Tony grabbed his mobile Iron Man armor while JARVIS called his research department. After the call, Tony headed downstairs and saw Steve waiting with Happy in the lobby. Steve gave him friendly clap over the shoulder and the two followed Happy to their ride.
The lightning had hit in Central Park. JARVIS gave approximate coordinates of the impact sights. Tony and Steve headed to the small clearing where the lightning had struck, trying to get the bumbling tourists and New Yorkers to leave or at least move back to a vague perimeter.
When Steve and Tony reached what witness swore to be the impact sight they both stopped. “See anything - any burnt debris or scorched earth” Tony asked as his eyes scanned the area.
“No, and I may not be a genius but I do know lightning just doesn’t fall without leaving anything behind.”
“Yeah.” He replied and walked forward cautiously. The trees swayed in the wind. Tony couldn’t see anything in their foliage " You see anything?”
“No, it’s just quiet.” He looked at the dirt and grass. He gave a frustrated cry. “If anything was here it’s been trampled over.”
“I know.” He crouched down and took a sample of dirt. “Still doesn’t mean everything has gone away.” He stood up. “I’m having Bruce analyze this when we get back.”
“He really works for you?”
“Yeah, and he lives in the Tower. He tried living a bit away but ended up crashing in one of my guests rooms more than slept at home so he just moved in. He’s on SHIELD’s and my payroll. Of course that means he just plays mad scientist to his heart’s content, only occasionally being interrupted to do some work for us.”
“Should I be afraid of whatever you two cook up?” Steve asked jokingly.
“Nah, Dummy’s only had to use the extinguisher twice since he moved in.”
“That was your fault wasn’t it?”
“I plead the fifth.” Tony replied then sighed. “Let’s head back. We’re not going to get anything more than from this.” Steve nodded and they returned to the tower. The first thing Tony did was take off the Iron Man armor before they both headed to Bruce’s lab. He smiled when they came in but otherwise turned his attention back on whatever technology was in front of him. Steve didn’t even bother trying to pretend he knew what it was. Something that ran on electricity, obviously.
“Hey, big guy.” Tony greeted. “I have something for you.” Bruce looked up and frowned at the sample in Tony’s hand. He pushed himself away from the counter, his chair rolling a few feet inches away and turned towards them.
“What is it?”
He asked as he took it from Tony and placed it at eye level. He peered at it curiously.
“We went to investigate the lightning-“
“What lightning?” Bruce interrupted.
“You didn’t see it outside of your window?”
“No, I’ve been pretty busy today.” Bruce replied, clearly embarrassed at having missed something so obvious. “What was it?” They told him. “Huh, that is odd. Let me see it then. I’ll tell you if I get any results.”
“Great.” Tony said and clapped his hands together. “I’m hungry. Let’s go out for shawarma.”
“You always suggest that but we never go.” Steve complained. “Do you even know what it is?”
“No, but I want to try it.”
“I want Indian.” Bruce said.
“I could go for some of that.” Tony agreed. Steve muttered something about Tony never sticking to his choice when it came to shawarma.
“Great, let’s go.”
“Experiments.” Bruce pointed out.
“Set them up, then we’ll go.” Tony replied.
“How long will it take you to set them up?” Steve asked as his stomach rumbled.
“Not that long. I’ll call you when I’m ready.” Bruce said amicably and set out to work.
The results were inconclusive. SHIELD sent a team to take separate readings but by then it was too late to pick-up anything that could have been residual. That very evening another flash of lightning struck. The team went back but found the same results mostly due to the fact that it had been difficult to pin point the location the lightening had struck.
The lightning reoccurred in the following months, never striking in the same place twice. If a mad scientist was behind the lightning he was hiding very well. Each new strike gave SHIELD a better chance at finding the source and stopping it.
A mobile team was on stand-by and was able to pick up and record strange radiation from the sights. The ground showed signs of a circular pattern; any finer details were lost by the time they reached the sights. The lightning always occurred twice. Beyond that they had very little to go on. SHIELD had stopped calling the Avengers when nothing showed up at each sight but having no definite answer made Tony nervous and jittery.
Almost four months after the first incident, Tony and the Avengers were in the Tower. Clint and Natasha were in the training room with Steve. Bruce sat in Tony's living room, tablet in hand. Tony and Pepper were by the window looking down at the city. People were popping up from the subway and littering the streets in a mad rush to work.
"Tony," Pepper called, interrupting his thoughts. He turned to her. "Ready to look over the reports? The shareholders want an increase in stocks.
"Again? What more do they want?" Tony groused. "We have the technology market practically cornered now. Our only main competitor is Apple and soon we're going to put the iPhone and all those i products to shame." He said grinning.
"Yes, but our one big issue is pricing. The Stark Phone is better but not in everyone's price range. We need to make it more affordable."
"I can't make it affordable have it be the same product." Tony retorted. "If they want I can make an iPhone knock off with the Stark Tech look and feel. Frankly, I don't think that's worth it. We need-" He stopped and walked closer to the window. "Pepper come here." Pepper got up from where she was sitting and walked over.
"What is it Tony?"
"Do you see that?" He pointed to the horizon.
"What?" She squinted.
"That!" he said emphasizing one point in particular. Pepper leaned in closer and pulled back.
"The clouds?"
"Yeah, but they're like the lightning clouds only bigger, much bigger." He looked over to the living room. "Bruce, come here!" Bruce put down his tablet and walked over.
"What?" He asked. Tony pointed outside. "Oh, that can't be good." He said as the clouds continued to darken. "Is the wind picking up?" He asked as he saw several pedestrians suddenly run inside or shield their faces.
"Yes." Tony replied but his eyes were glued to the growing clouds. "I think, I think we should take a step back." He said as he saw a wind funnel form in the distance. The windows rattled from the gales being produced and now he saw pedestrians running inside, no one intending to stay outside now from the strength of the wind. Several flashes of lightning were seen in the distance. "Want to be it's touching down in Central Park?"
"That's where most of the lightning's struck so you're probably right." Bruce replied. "Should we call the others up here?"
"Yeah. Jarvis!" Tony called knowing his AI would be speaking to the others at the moment. When the others arrived the funnel had yet to dissipate. They watched, stern faced. After a good ten minutes the funnel started to vanish. The clouds overhead stayed dark but gradually lightened.
"What do you think it is?" Steve asked sounding tense.
"I don't know." Tony replied and frowned. "But that wasn't a natural phenomenon."
"I wouldn't have ever guessed." he sighed. "Should we head out?"
"What if there isn't anything?" Natasha asked. "Like all the times before? There'll be nothing there." /p>
“There has to be something.” Clint argued. “All that and then nothing? What is the point?”
“Someone still hasn’t worked everything out in their doomsday device?” Tony said. “And at this rate I think we should just let them cause a bit of mayhem. I mean, a tornado like funnel that doesn’t do any damage? Lightning that doesn’t burn anything? We should give them one of those ribbons when they’re captured.” Bruce snorted.
“A certificate would be better. They could hang it up in their cell.” Natasha said in as serious a tone as ever. Pepper hid her smile and then shook her head.
“Tony? Reports.”
“Nope, sorry, Pepper.” Tony said with a grin. “Avengers take priority to stockholders. I mean what if it’s an alien invasion? What good will their stock be then?” Pepper gave an exasperated sigh and nodded.
“Looks like SHIELD’s rallied their troops.” Steve said as he noticed several helicopters flying toward central park. One of them a conspicuously plain black one that screamed 'covert military plane, ignore or else!'.
“What do you think those agents do between events?” Tony asked. “Watch Super Nanny?”
“Don’t be silly, Stark. Super Nanny is only on fall’s line up.” Coulson said as he walked in on them. Stark pointed a finger on him.
“Security breach! I revoked his access codes! Pepper, we have to resolve this. You can’t just trust Agent Coulson.”
Pepper held her hands up. “I haven’t told him anything!” She complained. "Sorry, Phil."
“Then how did he get in?” Steve looked chagrined.
“Steve how could you?” Tony mock gasped and held his hand above his heart. “I thought we trusted each other.”
“Alright enough. What are you here for, Phi?” Natasha asked.
“The weather.” Coulson replied. “Or did you all miss it while arguing over nothing again?”
"Sir, CNN is reporting on the event." JARVIS intoned.
"Turn it on then." The television in the living room turned on to CNN and the team walked over.
“Hey, it is an alien invasion.” Tony said dumbstruck as he took in the sight on the screen Footage of Central Park appeared on the screen, the word "LIVE" embezzled at the bottom.
"Witnesses state that several hundred of the beings are present, mostly centered on the space known as Sheep Meadow." The reporter announced, sounding more than a little shocked. “So far no casualties have been reported but witnesses report that both sides are armed.”
From a distance two armies or battalions, Tony had no clue what they were but some sort of combatants, were standing across from each other. Supplies scattered here and there between them. Tony’s mind was already trying to construct items from the data supplied. He identified several tent like structures. Here for the long run? Despite the reporters's words the two armies showed no signs of hostility toward another.
“Jesus Christ.” Steve breathed as the cameras zoomed as far in as they could. One side could only be properly described as giants. They stood amid the tree top. Several of them were batting heavy branches out of their way as they moved; the wood falling to the ground and then being kicked aside with ease. They were blue, heavy and humanoid in appearance with four limbs, torso and a head.
The other side was smaller in comparison would have passed for human but for their clothing. Armor glistened in the sunlight and they looked like they would blend right in high-fantasy fiction à la Tolkien. Several men and women (assuming they had that sex and weren’t actually just assuming the form for the humans) were moving their supplies in choreographed ease. Here and there, Tony thought he caught a glance of someone in a gown or tunic and breeches amidst all that armor. The camera pulled out and Tony caught the full extent of the aliens’ presence. Although the majority of them were located at Sheep Meadow he could see small pockets of them scattered through out the park. A few blue giants were creating something out of their hands, from the distance Tony couldn’t tell what it was.
“Police have established a perimeter and are evacuating the surrounding areas. At this current moment a state of emergency has not been declared although precautions are being taken.” The reporter gave a shaky sigh. “Stay tuned as developments arise.”
The helicopter flew closer and zoomed in again. Several of the aliens looked up. One waved then ignored it. The aliens’ focus seemed to be on moving their supplies to various, but not random, locations.
“So uh, what now?” Bruce asked as he looked at the screen tensely. The giants were uprooting trees and moving them. When one tree proved to thick to move, a fairly large and bulky giant swung a glistening blade at the trunk. Its swipes and strength made quick work at felling the tree.
“I don’t know.” Coulson replied shocked. “I mean, aliens.” He breathed out, sounding as surprised as them all. “Despite what you may think, SHIELD didn’t actually prepare us for this. Fury-“ Their phones rang as one then.
“Commander Fury on the line, sir.” Jarvis intoned.
“Put him on.” Tony said “So what’s the plan?” Tony asked.
“We go in and hope we don’t get killed.” Fury answered.
“You mean us.” Steve said clearly unhappy.
“I mean all of us, Captain Rogers.” Fury snapped. “In case you haven’t noticed two alien species just made first contact and they appear high geared for war. They’re setting up tents, I don’t know if this is just a neutral ground they chose to discuss something or just to fight over, but I’d like to find out and fast.”
“So you want us to go in and what ask them if they’re here for a tea party or to play cowboys and Indians?” Clint groused. “Do you know how stupid that sounds? We don’t even know if they can communicate with us to begin with. They could use interpretive dancing as a means of communication for all we know.”
”He’s right.” Bruce added. “Their physiology is completely unfamiliar to us. I mean they have mouths but,” He frowned, nervously playing with his glasses. “do they even speak? They’ve mastered space travel, they could be beyond the need for speech.”
“I don’t know, but I can only hope they speak something we’re able to understand.” Fury said. “What other choice do we have?”
“Has anyone gotten close to them?” Steve asked as he watched the two armies on CNN captioned Alien invasion? The end of mankind? on mute.
“No. No one is willing to risk it. Everyone pretty much evacuated as soon as the storm began. You know Central Park has been pretty empty lately because of the preliminary strikes. I think we should take it as a good sign that the aliens let a few unfortunate civilians trapped in the park leave without any incidents. You’ll be the first ones to establish official contact.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Natasha asked. “They’re armed. They’re armies. They don’t look very advanced. We could take them out with a few places strikes.”
“Yes, because what looks like swords to us might be a ray gun for all we know.” Tony snapped. “They traveled in space, I’m pretty sure they’re more advanced than we are.”
“First we discover their objective.” Clint said calmly. “Then we’ll see if we strike. They could be coming in peace.”
“All right, enough of this. Go out there and tell me if this is the end of earth or not.” Fury ordered. “Agent Coulson will detail you on your objectives on your way there.” He hung up.
“To be honest I was open to the possibility of alien life,” Tony started. “but I didn’t expect them to look like us. Humanoid.” He said as the close up of the smaller human like army appeared on screen. A dark haired woman seemed to be arguing with one of the jolly blue giants over placement of one of the tents. Well, it looked like arguing, they could be singing for all he knew.
“I didn’t really consider it.” Steve replied. “Suit up, Tony.” He left. Bruce sighed and stared at the screen.
“I hope it’s not an invasion. I don’t want to get dissected by an alien race.” Bruce said.
“Yeah, none of us do, big guy.” Tony said and went to change.
”I don’t like this.” Natasha told Clint. “Those other strikes had to be scouting parties. All of this could be a trap.”
“What choice do we have, Tash?” Clint replied. “Let’s just hope, well, let’s just hope.”
They didn’t fly to Central Park. Coulson drove them and dropped them off several blocks from one of the park entrances. Debriefing them on the way. They walked along one of the paths to the place the armies were centralized. Tony was not happy that his visual cameras were going to be recording everything for the world to see. He had only agreed because if he wanted Rhodey and Pepper to know what was going on. If this was the end he wanted them to know.
He could see the giants in the distance through the trees. This close they were absolutely huge and he felt a little bit undersized even in his armor. The more humanish aliens were not small either; they looked to be easily taller than Steve though not freakishly tall if they had been human. Had the people been human they would have only been especially tall.
They were less than twenty yards from the nearest aliens when they spotted them. A woman was the first to see them; she tilted her head and gazed at them seriously. A blue giant reacted in kind and walked to the woman. They did not move forward. Tony tensed and he saw his teammates do the same.
He honestly hoped they were friendly.
They continued walking. Steve signaled for them to stop ten yards farther down. The aliens covered the remaining ground and met them. The woman reached them first. “Greetings, mortals!” She said jubilantly in English. “I welcome you on behalf of King Odin All Father and Asgard.”
“Likewise, humans.” Said the tall blue creature. Again in English. So maybe science fiction writers were onto something. “I am Billingr of Jotunheim. I welcome your presence on behalf of your race in the name of King Laufey and his sons.”
Tony heard Clint make a small curious sound next to him. No pressure, just representing the human race now. Easy.
“I’m Captain America.” Steve said. “This is my team.” He introduced them by their codenames, except for Bruce who was ‘Doctor Banner’, and everyone nodded when he did so.
“Excellent, a diplomat and what I assume are Midgard’s finest warriors.” She looked at them wistfully. “How far you have come. I still remember when your kind didn’t know the difference between a horse and a bligsnipe.”
“Lady Sif,” Billingr interrupted. “The ceremonies will start soon. We must finish and cannot allow them to be post-pone them all because of simple mortals.” She glared at him but nodded.
“You are correct, we have waited long enough for this day. Come, mortals. I will show you where you may wait.”
“I don’t mean to be rude.” Steve began. “But what are you here for exactly?” The two aliens laughed as if he said some joke and they were escorted past the two standing armies to an empty spot where the tents had been set up.
“Fandral!” Lady Sif yelled. “Stop flirting with Lady Hlóðyn and come guard these mortals. Make sure they do not wander about!” A man dressed in green glared at her but smiled at a small giant who was clearly female.
Tony got a good look at her and whistled. She was rather pretty, he scanned the crowd and saw that the few female giants present were rather pleasant to look at. At least more-so than their male counterparts (assuming they were male and not single sexed or possibly just another variation of female giants- This whole alien thing was giving him a headach.).
Fandral kissed the giant’s hand, bowed and walked to them. His face turned into a scowl as he did so. “Honestly, Sif. This may be my only opportunity to flirt with Lady Hlóðyn today. I have not seen her in a century. How am I to ask for her hand if I cannot talk to her?”
“After today, Fandral you can spend time with her with no bounds. However it still stands, duty before desire, you know that.” Fandral gave a very put upon sigh and bowed to her.
“Of course my glorious goddess.”
“Do not forget what I am goddess of.” Lady Sif said sternly.
“But how could I forget?” He asked and smiled at her. “Go one, they will arrive soon .We have to be ready. We have waited long enough for it!” He said cheerfully. She left and was lost in the crowd. Fandral turned to them. “Greetings, I am Sir Fandral. Who may you be?”
Steve introduced them again. Before anything further could be said Tony asked. “How is it we understand you?”
“Yes, I was wondering about that.” Bruce added, staring intently at Fandral. The man laughed merrily and nodded to himself.
”You mortals always inquire about such petty things. We understand All and can speak All, mortal.” He tilted his head to Natasha. “I daresay you hear me differently than these mortals do you not?”
“I hear Russian.” Natasha said cautiously. Then spoke in Russian. It took a moment for Tony understand. Fandral didn’t seem at all bothered.
“And a pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Widow.”
“But how?” Bruce asked curiously, a few more questions from Science Mode.
“It is the way of the gods.” He said simply.
“Yeah, about that.” Clint interrupted. “Why are you calling us mortal and each other gods?” Fandral looked confused.
“Surely you jest? Have you humans forgotten us gods since last we came? Why that is the very reason why we are celebrating today!” He explained incredulous.
“Humans are short-lived, Fandral.” A stern looking man suddenly near them. “Countless generations have passed since the start of the War.”
“Ah, Hogun.” Fandral said turning to him. “Surely they could not have forgotten though? Despite their short lives?” Hogun said nothing. He looked at them. “Then why are you here?” He asked forlornly.
“So you aren’t interested in taking over?” Clint asked awkwardly.
“Why would we start a war the day we will finally end one?” Fandral cried dismayed.
“Midgardians are vexing creatures.” Hogun said and turned to the sky. “It is good that the preparations are over.” Fandral looked up then changed in demeanor entirely. He stood straighter and his face turned stern.
“SIF!” He yelled.
“I see it!” She yelled back, somehow over heard the crowd. “PLACES!” She yelled. The giant they met yelled the same as well. The two species separated and the stood apart.
“Follow me mortals. Quickly.” Fandral ordered. They followed them, and Tony wondered what the hell people looking at things from his recordings were thinking, twittering, and basically freaking out about. Fandral and Hogun led them to stand next to their race in what was clearly an altar like area, created from finely imported supplies and fallen trees. He had to admit, it looked nice in a kind of primal way. “Wait here.” He ordered then went to stand next to Lady Sif.
A less flashy turbulence arrived this time. Tony shielded his eyes, even with the suit the lightening was bright. He wondered who had come this time round.
Two smaller groups of aliens stood in front of each army, species respectively in front of their own. Three larger giants dressed stood in front of a smaller blue form, whose costume matched the Asgard army more than theirs, but looked to be dressed in much more expensive and exotic clothing to other giants present.
Opposite of them stood three Asgardians. One was a tall man with splendid armor, a spear, and an eye patch. Next to him stood a woman in a gown, her hair elaborately decorated and with a golden sword by her side. In front of them stood a younger man with a red cape, battle garb, and a hammer strapped to his waist.
Lady Sif and Billingr walked toward the two groups, then knelt in front of their respective races.
“Your majesties, everything is ready. I hope it is to your liking.” Lady Sif replied.
The one eyed man scanned the crowed and tents. “It suffices.” He intoned. One of the blue creatures looked over the crowd and preparations with a sharper eye. Tony shivered when three pairs of red eyes looked on them.
“I concur with the All Father. However, who are these mortals?”
“They are Midgard’s representatives, my lord.” Billingr replied. “In this group we find examples of this Realm’s finest warriors, scholars, and merchants.”
“He is correct, your majesty.” Lady Sif intoned. “We have seen and heard of them in thepast few travels here. Their names are known through out the lands.”
The woman smiled at them. “A fine group then.” She said regally.
The blue creature that had spoken walked forwarded to them. The army behind them bowed. “I am King Laufey, you mortals are welcome here and no harm will come to you nor your people during this ceremony by myself or my people, upon my word of honor I swear.” He said. Then he moved back. “Rise Billingr and stand with your brethren.”
Odin All-Father stepped forward and repeated King Laufey. “Lady Sif, you may rise. We will begin now.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Lady Sif replied. She rose then moved next to a Fandral and Hogun. Tony saw that behind them a red haired man had begun to cry. Tony felt like laughing because it slowly felt like today was possibly the result of some spiking. He wanted to ask someone what was going on but everyone around them was silent. The two kings stepped forward as one and nodded at each other.
“Welcome all,” Odin began, his voice sounding like it was coming from all around them and Tony wondered if his camera was necessary. “It has been many millennia since the Great War between our people began and although an uneasy peace has remained between us since I lead an expedition into Jotenheim to seize the Casket of Winters, today will mark its official end.” He stepped back.
King Laufey spoke. “A new era of peace will begin for our peoples: Jotnar, Aesir, and man.” His voice was just as powerful as Odin’s but something about it was inherently cooler and harsh. “We all have lost in the war but also gained from it.” He gestured behind him. “When Odin All Father came to end the War he took not only Casket by my son, Loki.” The Jotnar hissed as one. The alien equivalent of a boo, Tony guessed.
Laufey raised his hand. “It was only after our first attempts at an official treaty begun that I learned the fate of our youngest prince, after many difficulties he returned to us.” He paused and stared at the Avengers then continued. “He had been born in war and I feared perished in it due to my own folly. I felt I had paid the price for the invasion of Midgard where many a mortal fell to our hand.” He smiled.
“Loki returned to us in a gesture of faith as Odinson and now stands proudly as Laufeyson.” Tony was sure that was a dig at Odin. “All Father wished to unite the House of Odin and Line of Laufey under one family to establish peace. I agreed with the sentiment but not the method. Today, The House of Odin and the Line of Laufey will unite but not by deceit and theft but through marriage and accord.” Tony reeled. All right, not an invasion but apparently a resolution to one that happened a long time ago.
A cheer ran through the crowd from both sides then quieted. Then Odin All Father stepped forward. It was here that Tony drifted off because talk about family, lineage, and new ages came for the next hour. Apparently alien weddings were no better some people weddings. He talked to Jarvis, checked his e-mail, and occasionally glanced at how bored his teammates looked. Looking at the princes Tony couldn’t help but snort, so glad he could mute himself to the world aloud.
Prince Loki looked bored and was twirling one finger in the air beside him in an unusual pattern, a soft glow coming from that digit. Spell? He wondered. Prince Thor looked stern for the most part but when most of the crowd’s attention had been drawn to King Laufey, he had rolled his eyes and made miming talking sound. Prince Loki had smiled at that but then stayed stern faced as his father turned to him and brought him forward. Odin brought Prince Thor forward. This marked the start of the actual marriage ceremony. Thor’s mother Frigga, which made sense once Jarvis informed him she was the ‘goddess’ of marriage, administered the actual marriage part of the ceremony.
When it was done a cheer that was actually louder than anything Tony had every heard before went through the crowd. Tony hadn’t been one for metaphor but he thinks the earth quite literally shook from the force of all those ‘gods’’ yells. Aside from that terrifying aspect it didn’t really hurt to hear it despite how loud it was.
A grinning Lady Sif led them to a table once the ceremony was over. Then there was food and alien booze. They were left pretty much alone, Lady Sif went off to do whatever goddesses of war did. Tony shut down the cameras. “So guys, what do you think?” Bruce asked as he tentatively bit into something that looked like bread.
“At least it wasn’t an invasion.” Steve said sounding a bit dazed. “I mean, a wedding is okay. They’re not going to destroy the earth, now are they? I mean, this was a peace treaty.”
“I hope not!” Tony answer. “It took forever to get through that meeting can you imagine adding another few thousands years once the next one came about? I’m not subjecting my descendants to that.”
“Like you don’t have any as it is.” Clint snorted.
“Clint!” Natasha hissed. “You shouldn’t mention Tony’s out of wedlock children like that.” Everyone laughed.
“Bastards? You should take care of any children you bear even if you find them undesirable.” A friendly voice behind them chastised. “It is the only honorable thing to do.” Tony turned and saw Prince Thor looking at them with a kind smile on his face. Prince Loki stood behind him.