80 Apprentice

The factory had been a flurry of movement for almost 15 hours as SHIELD agents combed through the area, sweeping each room and marking any unstable anomalies. Scientists worked frantically, analyzing data in hopes of pinpointing a wormhole that Jane might have fallen through. The biggest fear was that if she had slipped into one, there was no guarantee she could return.

On the other hand, Harry had tried every locating spell he knew like Homenum Revelio, Point Me, even experimental conjurations designed to trace magical signatures. Each one yielded nothing. The worst part? When he attempted to send magical probes through the wormholes, they simply vanished, never returning.

Eric paced anxiously nearby, running his hands through his hair. "It's been five hours," he mumbled. "1 5hours, and nothing."

Darcy, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "She’s not just…gone, right? Like, poof, lost in some space-time abyss?"

Harry had asked Erik, Darcy and Ian to go back to the apartment till Jane was found, but they insisted on staying. They had insisted on staying until Jane was found. Sleeping in the car if they had to.

Natasha, who had been coordinating with SHIELD agents, turned toward Harry. "Tell me you have something." Harry was about to shake his head when suddenly, one of his wards flared to life. His magic pulsed, latching onto a presence inside the factory. His eyes widened. "I've got her," he assured them. Everyone rushed behind Harry, and as Harry had sensed, they found Jane in the middle of a secluded courtyard, looking disoriented but very much alive.

"Jane!" Eric and Darcy shouted in unison before rushing forward, practically tackling her in a tight embrace.

Natasha let out a quiet breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. Harry, however, didn't relax. Something felt off. Jane had returned. But the question was what had she brought back with her?

"We were so worried about you," Darcy blurted out, still holding onto Jane like she might vanish again at any moment.

Erik, meanwhile, was in full-on scientist mode, checking Jane over as if he could diagnose something just by looking at her. "Are you hurt? What happened? Where were you?"

Jane rubbed her temples, clearly shaken. "I...I don’t know," she admitted. "One moment, I was studying the readings, and then, something pulled me in. It felt like I was falling, but there was no ground, no sky, just darkness. And these huge, ancient columns stretching into nothingness."

Her voice wavered, her brow creasing as she tried to make sense of it all. "I touched one, and...something moved. Something went inside me. After that, everything blurred. I don’t even remember coming back—I just...woke up here."

Erik and Darcy exchanged uneasy glances. Natasha crossed her arms, studying Jane with narrowed eyes. But Harry? Harry’s stomach twisted.

He didn't hesitate, lifting his hand, he murmured a diagnostic charm as his magic flowed through Jane like a spectral scan. The results hit him like a gut punch.

Something was inside her.

His magic revealed that a non-organic parasite was rapidly spreading through her body like creeping tendrils of corrosion. It was consuming her, leeching away at her very life force. "Jane," he said carefully. "Whatever happened to you wasn’t a dream. Something has latched onto you, and it’s eating away at you from the inside."

Jane’s face paled. Erik took a sharp breath. Darcy's nervous energy spiked as she shifted uncomfortably.

Natasha, ever the pragmatist, asked. "How bad is it?"

Harry didn’t answer immediately. Because the truth was that even he had no idea what this thing was, let alone how to remove it.

Suddenly, a low rumble of thunder rolled across the sky.

Harry barely had time to register it before a deafening CRACK of lightning split the clouds, illuminating the factory ruins. The wind picked up, howling through the gaps in the crumbling walls, and within seconds, fat droplets of rain began to pelt the ground.

Natasha though was unimpressed. "I was wondering when he’d show up."

Harry flicked his wrist as a sleek black umbrella materialized in his hand. He passed it to Natasha without a word, already conjuring another, but was stopped mid-conjuration.

"Don’t," Natasha said flatly. Harry turned to see Natasha staring him down with a deadpan expression. "Let them get soaked." She instructed

There was a beat of silence before Harry gave a slow nod of understanding. The second umbrella vanished before it could fully form, and Natasha opened hers, holding it up for both of them.

Around them, the storm intensified, but something was off.

Despite the sheets of rain hammering the area, Jane and Darcy stood completely dry. The rain curved unnaturally around them, almost as if an invisible dome was shielding them from getting wet. Ian, Erik, and the surrounding SHIELD agents weren’t as lucky as they got soaked within seconds.

Ian shivered beside Erik and Natasha and asked. "This is not normal."

"You think?" Natasha deadpanned.

She then turned her head slightly toward Harry. "Can’t you just cancel the rain?"

Harry, standing comfortably under the umbrella with her, scanned the stormy sky. "I could try, but something tells me this isn't just regular rain."

Natasha shrugged, adjusting her grip on the umbrella.

It was Jane who spotted Thor first. Her breath hitched, and her eyes widened with recognition. Jane barely even thought before she shoved her instruments straight into Darcy’s hands and rushed forward.

The invisible dryness bubble around her moved with her, which meant Darcy was instantly left standing in the open rain.

There was a brief pause before—

"OH, COME ON!"

Darcy flinched as a fresh onslaught of rain hit her full force, completely drenching her in seconds. Her hair was plastered to her face, water dripping down her nose as she held the gadget in her soaked hands. She let out a long, suffering sigh. "Of course. Typical."

Harry, out of sheer reflex, started to raise his hand to cast a drying charm, but Natasha’s hand snapped to his wrist like a vice.

"Don’t even think about it."

Harry turned his head toward her, eyebrows raised.

Natasha, looking way too satisfied, merely lifted her chin and tightened her hold on the umbrella. "If she’s getting wet, then you don’t have to stop the rain at all."

Harry considered arguing. Then he looked at Darcy, who was now standing in the downpour, grumbling under her breath, her glasses fogging up and decided that, yeah, Natasha was enjoying this way too much.

Jane, meanwhile, was walking toward Thor like she was in a trance.

"Thor," she breathed, her voice a mix of disbelief and longing.

Thor took a slow step forward, his gaze locked onto hers too "Jane." Thor said back

WHAM!

Jane slapped him. Hard.

The sound of the impact cut through the air, sharp and loud.

Darcy jumped. Ian flinched. Even the rain seemed to hesitate for a second.

Harry and Natasha just blinked. Then, slowly, Natasha turned to Harry. "Do you think that hurt Jane more than it hurt Thor?"

Harry, rubbing his jaw, recalling his own experiences with Asgardian strength, muttered, "Jane."

"Sorry!" Jane said quickly, though she didn’t look sorry at all. "I just needed to make sure you were real. It's been a very strange day."

Thor, still rubbing his cheek, gave a small, bewildered nod. "Well, I am, and—"

WHAM!

Jane slapped him again.

Darcy sucked in a breath. "Ohhh, this is getting awkward."

Natasha, barely holding in a smirk, nudged Harry with her elbow. "If she does it a third time, I will start respecting her."

Harry, watching Thor brace himself, sighed. "I'm just hoping she doesn’t break her wrist."

"Where were you?!" Jane demanded.

Thor thought looked genuinely concerned. "Where were you? Heimdall couldn’t see you."

Jane let out an incredulous laugh, throwing her hands up. "I was right here! Where you left me! I waited, and then I cried, and then I went out looking for you. You said you were coming back!"

Thor’s shoulders slumped, and his expression softened into something regretful. He looked like a particularly remorseful golden retriever. "I know. I know. But the Bifrost was destroyed. The Nine Realms went completely bonkers, wars broke out, marauding hordes were... well, marauding. I had to stop the cosmic chaos."

Jane folded her arms across her chest, arching an eyebrow. "As excuses go, that's not the worst. But—" she pointed a finger at him, "I saw you on TV. You were in New York. You even met Erik."

Thor winced. "That was—"

"That reminds me," Natasha interjected casually, arms crossed as she turned to Harry. "You still haven’t paid me back for all that New York footage I wiped for you."

Harry sighed, glancing at her with a lopsided smirk. "We’ll talk about it later. I can settle that debt in our bed."

Without missing a beat, Natasha smacked his chest hard. Harry grinned back shamelessly.

Thor sighed, his sound heavy with the weight of interdimensional travel and relationship drama. "Jane, I tried to protect you from the dangers of my world, but I messed up. Big time." His voice was low, sincere, and laced with regret. He reached out, his large hand gently cupping her face. "I believe fate brought us together. Jane, I don’t know where you were or what happened, but I do know this."

"What?" Jane whispered, her eyes searching his.

Thor held her gaze. "I know…"

"You do?" Jane breathed, tilting her head slightly.

They leaned in closer, the air crackling with romantic tension. Inches away. Lips almost touching.

Then—

"HEY! Are you doing that with the rain?!"

Thor blinked, turning toward the very loud and very unimpressed Darcy, who was waving a hand vaguely at the sky.

The rain, which had been suddenly ceased altogether. A single drop clung stubbornly to a leaf, trembling and then plopped directly onto Darcy’s head.

She sputtered. "Seriously?!"

Jane squeezed her eyes shut, inhaling sharply before turning to Darcy with a look that could kill. "We were kind of in the middle of something."

"Yeah, well, if I’m not getting any action, neither are you," Darcy huffed, arms crossed.

Before the rising tension between Jane and Darcy could escalate into a full-blown catfight, Harry stepped in.

"It’s good that you came, Thor," he said, his voice steady but serious. "Something unnatural has infected Jane. And whatever it is, I don’t think we can treat it here on Earth."

Thor’s playful demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by deep concern. "Are you certain, brother?"

Harry nodded. "Positive."

Thor turned his gaze back to Jane. "Then I will take her to Asgard. Our healers may be able to purge whatever afflicts her." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "I would like for you to come along too, just in case we need your help."

Harry tilted his head slightly. "To convince your father?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

Thor gave a sheepish smile. "You know me too well."

Behind them, Natasha arched an eyebrow, her grip on the umbrella tightening ever so slightly.

As Harry moved toward Thor, Natasha grabbed his hand firmly. “I’m coming along too,” she stated, leaving no room for argument.

“Nat, I won’t be gone for long,” Harry assured her, squeezing her hand gently.

Her eyes darkened. “Last time you said that, you disappeared for a year. I’m not taking that chance again.”

Harry hesitated, glancing at Thor for guidance, but the god of thunder simply shrugged, clearly staying out of the argument.

Harry let out a soft sigh before giving Natasha a small, affectionate smile. “Alright. Let’s go together.”

Natasha nodded in satisfaction, but didn’t let go of his hand just yet.

The foursome stepped together, with Thor gripping Harry’s shoulder in preparation for the Bifrost.

Natasha turned to Darcy. “Make sure Erik’s graviton spikes are in place and update Coulson. Tell him we’re taking Jane to Asgard for treatment.”

Darcy opened her mouth to argue, but one sharp look from Natasha had her snapping it shut.

Natasha leaned in slightly. “The safety of the world is in your hands.”

Darcy’s eyes widened. “That feels like a really bad idea.”

Before she could complain further, the Bifrost roared to life, engulfing the four of them in a swirl of cosmic energy as they shot toward Asgard.

Jane and Natasha stagger slightly as they step onto the shimmering golden bridge of Asgard, their eyes widening as they take in the breathtaking view of the Towers of gold and a sky painted with auroras.

“We have to do that again,” Jane whispered, still awestruck.

Her words trailed off as she finally noticed the imposing figure standing before them. Clad in golden armor with his piercing gaze. “Hi,” Jane managed weakly, clearly at a loss for words.

Heimdall inclined his head, ever composed. “Welcome to Asgard, Jane Foster and Lady Potter.”

Natasha raised an eyebrow at the title but said nothing.

Before Heimdall could say more, Harry strode forward and pulled the stoic guardian into a bear hug. A rare smile flickered across Heimdall’s face as he returned the embrace. “And welcome back, Harry Potter.”

The reunion, however, was violently interrupted by a regal yet furious voice echoing through the chamber.

"Harry James Potter. The nerve!"

Every head turned toward the entrance of the Bifrost chamber, where an eternally beautiful woman in flowing Asgardian robes was storming toward them with the sheer force of a thousand disappointed mothers.

Harry immediately scrambled behind Natasha like a guilty child hiding from an angry parent.

Natasha blinked. "Seriously?"

Frigga didn't break stride; she reached around Natasha, grabbed Harry by the ear, and yanked him upright.

"How many days has it been since you last came to your master, apprentice?" she demanded.

Harry squeaked something incoherent.

Frigga’s eyes narrowed. "What was that?"

Harry swallowed hard. "I… I thought you said I had nothing left to learn?"

"And that means you forget about your Master, Apprentice?" Frigga countered, her grip tightening.

Harry winced. "I'm sorry!" he squeaked again. "But—but we’re actually here on important business! Jane needs to go to the healers!"

Frigga finally turned her gaze to the newcomers, her anger momentarily shifting into curiosity. Then, as if she needed time to cool off, she declared, “Fine. Handstand in the corner and conjure ten thousand elementals—each for fire, water, air, ice, nature, earth, void, lightning, steel, and spirit. Have them battle on the bridge now.”

Harry opened his mouth to protest.

Frigga arched a perfectly regal eyebrow.

Without another word, Harry shuffled off to the side, flipped into a handstand, and began conjuring swarms of magical elementals that immediately launched into absolute war on the Rainbow Bridge.

Seeing that Harry was doing as instructed, Frigga turned her attention toward the others. Her gaze landed on Jane first, and she offered a polite smile.

"Welcome to Asgard, Jane Foster. I apologize that you had to see me like this, but when one has an apprentice like mine, headaches are inevitable." Her tone was light, but there was no mistaking the underlying exasperation.

Jane, still slightly shaken by everything happening around her, gave a hesitant nod. "Uh… thanks?"

Frigga gave a dismissive nod in return and was already moving past her toward Natasha.

The shift in demeanor was instant.

"It seems the idiot has done something good," Frigga mused, her voice softening as she approached Natasha with a warmth that was almost reverent.

Then, to Natasha’s complete shock, Frigga reached out with tender care, her hands cupping Natasha’s face as if she were a long-lost daughter finally returning home. She smoothed down a stray lock of Natasha’s hair, tucking it gently behind her ear, all the while studying her with an intensity that made Natasha feel unnervingly seen.

Natasha, normally unreadable, actually blushed under the scrutiny.

Frigga's smile never wavered, her expression one of pure affection. "Look at this idiot," she sighed, gesturing vaguely at Harry, who was still upside-down, struggling to control ten thousand warring elementals. "Keeping you away from me for so long."

Natasha opened her mouth to say something, anything, but for once, she was at a complete loss. This was absurd. Ridiculous. Utterly baffling. How did one even respond to a literal space queen treating them like a long-lost daughter?

Frigga, ever perceptive, noticed Natasha’s reaction and took mercy on her.

“I see that you are here because something has happened to Jane Foster,” Frigga said, shifting the focus. She turned to Thor. “Take her to the healers and have them assess her condition.”

Jane, who had been watching the entire exchange with increasing bewilderment, snapped to attention. “Right. Yes. That’s why I’m here.” She glanced toward Natasha, who still looked vaguely dazed, then at Harry, who was still stuck upside-down, and decided not to question anything further.

Frigga smiled at Natasaha. “Do not worry, child. We will have many opportunities to talk now that you are here."

Natasha didn’t know if that was exciting or terrifying.

“And as for you,” Frigga turned her attention back to Harry, who had started inching toward freedom. She raised a single, elegant finger, and Harry froze.

“I will join you shortly, just as soon as I properly discipline my apprentice,” she said smoothly.

Harry let out a very quiet, very dignified whimper.

Thor, wisely, decided to make his exit. “Come, Jane, Natasha,” he said, guiding them toward the palace healers before they could get roped into whatever this was.

Once they were a safe distance away from Frigga, Jane finally voiced the question that had been nagging at her.

“Who was that terrifying woman?” she asked Thor in a hushed, slightly panicked whisper.

Thor sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “My mother.”

Jane stopped walking.

Natasha also straightened up slightly, as if her spine had just been magically reinforced by sheer secondhand anxiety.

“That was your mother?” Jane repeated, her voice somewhere between awe and horror.

“She isn’t usually this dramatic,” he defended, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced of that himself.

Jane turned forward again, her brain rapidly replaying every word she had just spoken in front of the Queen of Asgard.

Meanwhile, the chaos of Harry’s punishment continued in the background. The literal elemental battle—hundreds of tiny fire, water, air, ice, and earth beings clashing in an ongoing, magical war—was still raging across the Rainbow Bridge. And yet, as Thor, Jane, and Natasha walked through, the battling forces instinctively parted, making way for them like a dramatically absurd recreation of the Red Sea.

Neither Jane nor Natasha could decide which was more ridiculous: the fact that this was happening, or the fact that they were already getting used to it.

“…This is the weirdest day of my life,” Jane muttered.

Natasha, who had seen some things, just patted her shoulder. “Welcome to the club.”