Bifrost and Beyond

The tree was awash with the colors of the rainbow as the Bifrost lit up Asgard in a prismatic display. It was something beautiful and wonderous to behold. Truly a special moment.

Sif's eyes streamed tears as she beheld the wonders of the realms like her brother had before her. Loki had manifested "himself" in multiple copies igniting braziers and manipulating the magic of the Odinforce that Thor unleashed, rebuilding and then creating something new. All of Asgard would remember the day the Bifrost Gardens were created around the bridge into something wondrous.

Walt slumped and groaned and Sif quickly removed Hofund. The ladies rushed forward as Thor, "Quickly give him aid!"

"M-Mead," Walt requested and they all laughed. He was worse the wear and his eye's had a slightly crazed look... but he was grinning. Thor grinned and fetched him the drink himself and Walt thirstily drank it down. "Delicious... a-another!"

They laughed as Jane tended his wound which was already healing quickly. He had other odd ones to go with it as well that were also healing quick. "How did you get these burns?"

Walt nodded drinking and licked his lips, "Muspelheim... the f-frostburn was J-Jotenheim... another... and help me up. Did we...?"

Jen grinned helping him up onto his feet as Loki joined them saying, "See for yourself Second Architect of the Bifrost." He gestured all around them. "You did well, Archmagus."

Sif nodded her eyes shown brightly. "I saw much of it. Your soul traveled the Realms... and amongst all that beauty and splendor you fought-"

Walt placed a finger to her lips. "I fought... and won. That's enough."

Sif nodded her understanding. She wouldn't speak of it. If you can judge a warrior by their enemies and allies he was quite a warrior indeed.

Walt sighed. Odin and Heimdall were most likely correct. He was extremely unlikely to find more of the missing... not now at any rate... though he had found one more...

-Previously-

"Hey. Longtime no see."

Walt looked at the clean ultramodern posh room of pure white walls, ceilings and floors. Well they were pure white. He smirked at the man painting the walls a bright red. He'd managed to splatter a fair bit on himself in the process.

Walt shook his head. "Really? Red? I suppose I should be happy to see you actually doing a lick of work for a change but it's clear you're not much of a painter, bud."

Tony shrugged and smirked. "Well I kinda quit my day job so I had to do something. Grab a brush. And you know I like red." He stuck his brush back in the paint. "Nothing but white when I moved into the place. A little too 80's... even for me."

Walt sighed and nodded taking off his coat and hat... though they really weren't his coat and hat. It was the principle. He started rolling up his sleeves. "What about the ceiling?"

Tony Stark winked. "I got that guy who did that chapel coming. Maybe you heard of him? Michelangelo? Anyway he'll paint Ironman meeting his 'Great Creator' up there for me."

Walt chuckled as Tony name dropped and he grabbed a brush. "You been here a shortwhile and I bet you've already made it a point to meet all the A-listers... Is this 'Great creator' gonna have a familiar look too after you model for it? You hold the brush like this by the way, slacker." He started painting the walls too.

Tony chuckled. "It's like you can see the vision in my mind! Less clouds and cherubs and more fireworks, hot cars and hotter babes..." He paused. "Sorry."

Wakt shook his head smiling. "You got nothing to say that to me for, buddy."

Tony Stark nodded and went back to painting. "I know I'm dumping a lot of work on you back there... and now you're helping me paint the new digs. Feels like I should say something."

Walt shook his head. "Forget about it... tell me the important thing instead."

Tony smiled. "I'm happy and you're going to do fine."

Walt nodded and looked at the door. Tony chuckled and shook his head. "They're gone. It's why you came here last. They can't pursue or pick up your trail again from here, Cowboy."

Walt nodded. "Yeah that's the main reason... and I can't stay long. Frankly I'm surprised they let me slip in even for a moment."

Tony shook his head. "Trust me. You're more on the 'nice' list then the 'naughty' one. They let me in after all!"

Walt laughed. "Standards must be at an all time low if they're letting atheists in!"

Tony shrugged and winked saying, "I have been wrong once or twice before..." They both laughed and Walt looked at the door again.

Tony simply raised an eyebrow but nodded. "I got a pizza coming if you stick around. Happy's on his way. Jarvis too... could call up a few others... it'll be just like old times..."

Walt nodded. "I'd like that. I really would..."

Tony nodded smiling too. "But you won't."

Walt put his brush back down. "I cant. I don't belong here. It's enough that I got to see some of you even briefly."

Tony set down his brush too. He wiped his hand and offered it to Walt and they shook. Tony looked at the wall. "Why is your section so much better than mine?"

Walt chuckled. "Practice makes perfect. I told you you were doing it wrong but hey," he winked. "I won't be around so you tell 'em you did that part, partner."

Tony laughed. "I just might! Thank you for everything, Walt. You'll do fine."

Walt smiled. "Thank you for everything, Tony." They let go and Walt grabbed his coat and stuck his hat back on his head. "Happy trails, partner!"

"Happy trails, partner," Tony said waving goodbye.

-Presently-

"You have done a great service Asgard and her people," Thor said addressing them in the throne room. "A service that shall not be forgotten for all time. If you have a wish that's in our power to grant, speak it so we may in some way show our measure of gratitude by granting you a boon."

Walt smiled and bowed. "You're far too kind, your Majesty. The friendship of Asgard is more than fair payment... though... I do have a small personal request."

Thor smiled. "Please do not hesitate to speak it, Noble Friend of Asgard!"

Walt nodded. "In our short time here Elyia has been an invaluable aid to us. Might you permit her to accompany us to Midgard, your Majesty? I shall employ her in a similar suitable capacity. I need capable people to help me in conducting my affairs in the realms."

Thor smiled. "Is this also your wish, Elyia?"

She bowed even lower. "Oh, yes your Majesty! It would be a great honor and privilege to continue serving Master Stark. Both for myself and for Asgard!"

Thor nodded. "Well said. Then please continue do so with our blessing! Also I do not consider this adequate repayment so the boon stands. If you ever require anything please let us know."

Shocket is about to say they could pay them but Linda elbows her as it wasn't over.

They're each presented with a golden coffer filled with gold and jewels as well as an arm ring. "Please accept these small, insignificant gifts," Thor said. "They mark you as friends of Asgard, worthy of both honor and respect." He winked. "And a few small baubles for interstellar tolls and the like as well!"

"Thank you your Majesty!" Shocket said. "Yeah these'll pay for a few travel incidentals and the like!"

Thor laughed and so did everyone else in good cheer. Walt caught his gaze and looked over at where Loki stood. Thor pursed his lips and paused before finally saying, "Loki?"

Loki stepped forward. "Yes, Thor?"

Thor took a breathe and nodded. "Don't be a stranger. You're welcome in Asgard, my brother."

Loki smiled. "Yes, brother. I shall come again."

Walt thought about all the work they still had ahead of them but it felt like maybe finally the end was coming insight... but he didn't voice those thoughts. Announcing them would be a good way to hear God laugh after all.

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Mutants of Mars

Coming Soon]