My ship flew up to the sky, towards the biggest of the Asgardian ships.

And boy, it was big.

Where exactly were they hiding this thing? Because I’m fairly sure it would have been noticeable when I was last on Asgard.

Asgard was like... a floating city in space, well, a bit more than that. A floating landmass rather than a planet.

Seriously, where the fuck did they keep this thing?

My ship landed on its deck with significant room to spare. Like, it barely even inconvenienced the people running around up top.

Of course, no one said a single word because Odin himself walked off the ramp that I sent down for him.

In fact, they all lined up and bowed to him or gave him a proper salute.

"Will!"

All except a few.

I held my arms open, and Jeanne crashed into me, hugging me just a tad too tightly.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Odin’s lips curl up and pretend he didn’t see anything.

"I missed you so much! And I was so worried!" She pushed her head into my chest. "You disappeared and we couldn’t find you."

I think any residual anger or resentment just immediately washed away.

I don’t think there was anything, any kind of torture, that wouldn’t be resolved in this moment.

"It’s okay, I’m not going anywhere; I won’t disappear again." I reassured her.

"Neh!" She hit my chest, not very hard, but she looked up at me pouting sadly. "We were really worried."

Cute.

I kissed her forehead like I always did. That seemed to cheer her up a little bit. "I missed you too."

I wanted to tell her that it wasn’t a big deal and I wasn’t gone that long, but I would be the biggest hypocrite if I dismissed their worry. I would have done a lot of questionable things if I found out one of my girls went missing.

"I was curious as to how I was found; it’s not like the universe is a small place. But now that I think about it, if Heimdal and you worked together...well, you have a very unique skill, don’t you?"

She flushed and looked. "I-I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Uh huh." I pulled her cheeks because I couldn’t resist anymore. She was way too cute. "I wonder what Heimdal would say if I asked him? Do you think he would tell me about a certain holy compass?"

"Neh!" She stomped her foot cutely, giving me another pout.

I couldn’t help but chuckle and kissed her forehead again. "Thank you."

I wasn’t sure how her revelation ability would work across fast distances in the universe. But even if she could just...point Heimdal’s sight in a general direction, that would significantly lower the difficulty in finding me.

She didn’t seem to want to release me at this point.

"Hold hands?" I offered.

We were together now.

Officially that is, so she didn’t really have to hold back or be embarrassed about certain things.

She looked at me, and that same innocent shyness appeared on her face. She gave me a little nod and sneakily grabbed my hand, looking very pleased with herself after doing so.

The same girl who flashed me her boobs just because.

Odin wasn’t standing far away. Far enough that it wasn’t like he was looming, but close enough that I’m sure he was paying attention.

The look on his face said a lot.

I didn’t think he would actually get protective of Jeanne. Not that I would expect him to take out his shotgun and give me ’the talk’ about dating his daughter. But there was definitely an eye being kept on me even if he didn’t say anything or express any opinions.

Oh well, what can you do?

It’s impossible to dislike Jeanne.

Thunder rumbled in the sky, and another familiar face appeared. Carried upon a hammer, he soared through the air and touched down on the ship.

"My friend, you’ve returned!" Thor looked happy to see me. "My sister was beset with worry; you are in for an earful when you return home." He let out a laugh.

I think Jeanne huffed a little.

Partly out of embarrassment, partly because he was right.

"Thor, it’s good to see you." I offered my hand, and he took it.

"You as well." Less joking, a sincere word of happiness that I was apparently safe.

"Curious I am, my friend. How did you end up so far away from Midgard?" Thor asked.

Even Odin slightly turned this way.

I scratched my head. "It’s a strange story honestly. I was helping some people deal with a ’demonic possession.’ I met this strange sorcerer; he wasn’t very strong. But then the demonic inside the person being possessed turned into a gateway of sorts. It was like a bridge to another dimension. If I’m not mistaken, I believe it was called the Dark Dimension?" I was honestly not entirely sure of the details either. Which wouldn’t have been so bad; it wasn’t immediately hostile. But there was some eldritch, demonic, god-like entity in there that was far beyond me. I grabbed Clint—the person who got swept up with the portal—with me and tried to run through one of my own portals, but just that thing’s hand ruptured space as we escaped, sending us spiraling through space-time and ending up here."

God, that was long-winded.

Thor just blinked, looking thoughtful but not saying anything.

Odin turned to me, looking more serious than I expected.

"Dormammu," he spoke up. "The Ruler of the Dark Dimension, his name is Dormammu, and he is a terrifying entity. You did well to run at sight of him, and the consequences were insignificant compared to being caught by that fiend."

"You know it?" I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.

"Father? Why have I not heard of this thing before?" Even Thor questioned.

Odin frowned. "It is not something to speak about in bedtime stories nor tales of honor and valor. The Lord of the Dark Dimension is an unspeakable entity that should not be repeated elsewhere. Even I would not wish to challenge such a being within its domain."

Rare was it for Odin to admit any kind of...inferiority.

I think I got lucky then.

"You say this occurred on Midgard?" Odin shifted focus. "There are fools who wish to vie for that thing’s power." He ran a hand through his beard. "Yes, I understand. Midgard would be one of the most optimal invasion points into the universe from the Dark Dimension. I will have to think on this."

"The Sorcerer Supreme is currently keeping things under control. But if it worries you, I think he mentioned that Kamar-Taj and Asgard once had relations in the past; it’s not too late to reconnect."

"Familiar names. I will revisit the archives and see what information I can provide. If Midgard can defend itself, Asgard will not interfere." Odin decided.

That was it, it seems. End of discussion, he decided on the course of action.

He was as frustrating as he was reliable.

Holy shit, we were similar, weren’t we?

"My friend." Thor leaned in. "You will have to teach me. How does a man obtain the hearts of so many women together willingly, I—"

"Come along, son." Odin grabbed Thor’s cape, pulling him away. "My daughter and her...sisters have words to speak to him."

Thor gave me a look of sympathy because he saw who was walking over.

It seems like they all found out I was here now.

Bar Meridia and Yasaka, they were all here.

Jinn ran up, just how Jeanne did, and I took her into a hug without letting go of Jeanne.

I was expecting a scolding, but it didn’t come.

They were just happy to see me safe and sound.

I found myself grabbed by Raikou and pulled face-first into her chest.

I’m really tired.

I guess a nap wouldn’t be too bad.

[Line Break]

On the Kree homeworld, the Kree emperor gathered his closest confidants.

Having taken over control of the Kree empire after the destruction of the Supreme Intelligence at the hands of the Terran Carol Danvers, the Kree had gone through a drastic shift in only a decade.

Between them, dozens of screens flickered in the otherwise loosely lit room.

They were scenes from Sakaar.

The Kree Empire was no stranger to the blood sports of this forsaken planet. As a warlike race, they enjoyed the spectacle, and many of the empire’s subjects watched the fights with glee.

That’s why it was brought to the attention of the overlords so quickly.

"Are these fabricated?"

"No, they were broadcast live as they occurred."

"Impossible."

"Is it? Have we not experienced something similar on our own? Our supreme intelligence was destroyed by one of them. Thought to be a backwater planet, something not even worth conquering."

The scenes showed Wilhelm performing feats that looked impossible.

Not just him either.

There were other images as well.

Then it cut to another person, holding a bow and shooting down ships that, while far below their own Kree Dreadnoughts, weren’t something to scoff at.

"Terrans?"

"Terrans."

"This despicable planet again. They have yet to even understand star travel. How does this occur?"

The Emperor raised his hand to silence the discussion. "Peace. Note their names, for we have other concerns.

"Bint Clarton is the one with the primitive bow." One of the members spoke. "The other...Kurosaki Ichigo."

The scenes changed, and then it showed Asgardian vessels, and everyone in the room stiffened.

The Kree were a race old enough to remember when the last time Asgardian ships sailed the stars.

"Asgard moves again."

"Pull back every available ship. Form a defense line and abandon every contested planet in sectors closest to Asgardian Space." Another said in panic.

The Emperor didn’t interject because he had similar thoughts. "Reaffirm our treaty with Xander and take defensive measures."

The Skree empire wasn’t the only one.

Xander, of the Nova Corps, also saw the broadcast.

All the major planets across the galaxy, if not the universe, heard what happened.

The Grandmaster was a name many knew, but few really understood. The ancient figure that predated their respective cultures by uncountable number of years.

Yet, most knew that Sakaar was a world that didn’t abide by any rules but his own.

All but surrounded by major empires, it remained independent and never showed any sign of invasion.

This alone spoke volumes about the ruler of this planet.

Yet, this wasn’t the piece of news that caused the most panic.

The Terrans—Earthlings—were of course the topic of a lot of talks. That primitive planet was infamous for several reasons, and this seemed to confirm many of those rumors and legends.

But what caused panic across the cosmos was Asgard appearing again for the first time in a very long time.

There were very, very few mortals alive that remembered the last time Asgardians’ ships sailed through the cosmos.

And their first action was to launch an invasion of a planet deemed untouchable.

And from what everyone was able to gather, it was now conquered.

Ironically, it caused a near-unprecedented peace to abruptly take hold across most sectors of space.

Because everyone was fearful of where the Asgardian ships would appear next, everyone pulled back into a defensive position.

News reached even to the dark corners of the Universe.

The places where no eyes could look, where no light penetrated.

The place where the monsters hid in the dark.

"My Lord, I come bringing news." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

A cloaked silhouette with a spear or polearm weapon on his back came running into the room, collapsing on his knees in a show of respect and difference.

Kneeled in front of a throne.

Upon the throne sat the Mad Titan himself—Thanos.

The Mad Titan held up a hand, giving him a moment of pause to catch his breath. "Coruvus, speak."

"My Lord." Corvus Glaive knelt on a knee. "I bring word from the planet of Sakaar."

"The Grandmaster’s world?" Thanos’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried with a weight that made him shiver.

"Yes, My Lord. Sakaar is conquered."

Thanos, who was uncaring, now raised an eyebrow. "Conquered?" Amusement was clear in his voice. "Who was brave or foolish enough to try and conqueror a planet with no worth?"

"The All-Father."

The room immediately went cold at the words.

"Odin," Thanos spoke.

The room became silent, only interrupted by the tapping of the Mad Titan’s finger upon his throne.

"Odin," he repeated again. "Odin, the King of Asgard." He let the words roll off his tongue. "He truly moved the Golden Armies of Asgard once more?"

"It’s been confirmed, My Lord." Corvus nodded. "If you require proof –"

Thanos held up a hand. "I have faith that you would not bring such information to me without confirmation, Corvus." Thanos went quiet again, but perhaps that was more tense than harsh words or anger from him. "Why?"

It was a simple question, but it was also a heavy one.

Corvus swallowed. "Unknown."

Thanos hummed as he closed his eyes. "Unfortunate timing." His finger pushed into the metal throne, as if it were pushing into clay. "I believe we were told that Odin was on his last leg, that he was approaching his final sleep, were we not?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Where is Ebony Maw?"

"He is...educating our prisoner, My Lord."

"The Prince." Thanos smiled faintly. "Yes, perhaps it’s time for us to put him to use, wouldn’t you say?"

"His education isn’t completed, my Lord. Ebony Maw says it will take more time before he could be persuaded to our thinking."

"Hmm, I do hate half-measures, but we may be forced to do so in this case. Odin isn’t someone we can ignore in our plans. If we don’t move quickly, we may forever lose the stone from our grasps. The prince said that Odin was decrepit, old, and soft. It seems we were mislead."

"He will pay for his lies, My Lord." Corvus stated the threat was not one made without true intention behind it.

"Tell Ebony Maw to increase the intensity of his education. I want him ready as soon as possible. We’re moving up our time table." Thanos ordered. "And summon back the Black Order. If Odin is stepping out from Asgard once more, we can no longer sit idly by and wait patiently."

"Your will be done." Corvus bowed.

Corvus left the room, and Thanos pressed a button on a console next to his throne.

"A little primitive planet holding an Infinity Stone?" It showed an image of Earth. "Let’s see how weak you’ve become, Odin. If you can’t even protect one planet, then there’s no reason to fear you any longer."

[Line Break]

A/N

Changed point of view for second half, something I’ve done once or twice in the past. Felt it was appropriate here since I didn’t want to keep switching POV to random non-introduced people in the universe.

Sorry, I’ve been doing two ANK Chapters every Sunday, but I’m not feeling well at the moment, so only one today.

If you want to read 10 Chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone

I also have a boosty fi you can’t use the above under the same name