M109- Asgard... Again!

The Bifrost deposited them in the grand halls of Asgard, golden and imposing as ever.

Anthony dusted nonexistent sand off his arm. “Every time we do this, I feel like Heimdall’s aiming to drop us a little harder just for fun.”

Sofia adjusted her sunglasses. “You probably deserve it.”

Loki stepped ahead, arms spread as he walked like he owned the place. “Welcome, mortals. Please, bask in the divine splendor before you.”

Diego side-eyed him. “I will, right after I confirm you’re not leading us straight into a trap.”

Loki gasped dramatically. “How dare you suggest such a thing?”

Donald scoffed. “Because you’re you.”

Maria glanced at Nero. “You’re still thinking this is a setup, right?”

Nero nodded. “Of course.”

Loki rolled his eyes and kept walking. "Thor, take your… peasant friends and dress them appropriately. I will inform Father of your arrival."

Donald groaned, already turning on his heel. "Come on, let’s get this over with before I start regretting showing up."

Diego slung an arm over Donald’s shoulder. "Relax, big guy. Worst case scenario, we end up wearing ridiculous gold-trimmed capes, and I finally get the royal look I deserve."

Anthony scoffed. "If you somehow end up dressed better than me, I’m fighting someone."

Sofia pushed her sunglasses higher up her nose. "If this involves Asgardian leather armor, I’m in. Otherwise, pass."

Sif joined them midway, her gaze locking onto Donald as she strode forward. "Thor, you are back."

Donald barely managed an awkward chuckle. "Sif. You seem stronger."

Sif rolled her eyes. "Not showing up for days, and you throw me a compliment like that'll make me forget?"

Anthony coughed to cover a laugh. Diego didn’t bother hiding his grin. "Damn. The mighty Thor is afraid of his girlfriend."

Donald shot them both a warning look, but it didn’t help that he looked like he was mentally calculating escape routes. "You know the world was trying to kill us, right?"

Sif ignored him entirely, her hand snapping out to grab Sofia and Maria by the wrists. "Come on, girls. I know a place with the best dresses—or armor, if you prefer."

Maria barely managed to set her drink down before she was dragged along. Sofia sighed but didn’t resist. "Alright, but if it’s another floor-length Asgardian ballgown, I’m setting it on fire."

"No one said you had to wear a dress," Sif shot back.

Anthony watched them go before glancing at Donald. "You should probably make sure she doesn’t stab you later."

"She wouldn’t—" Donald paused. "…Right?"

Nero clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I think you should assume yes."

Diego stretched, looking entirely too pleased. "So. We getting capes or what?"

The Asgardian tailor—because of course Asgard had one—looked utterly unimpressed as Diego spread his arms dramatically. "Alright, make me look regal."

"You are human," the tailor muttered, already pulling out fabrics and leathers.

"Wow. Racist." Diego turned to Nero. "Is this okay?"

"Try not to cause an interdimensional incident," Nero replied, looking at what the place had to offer.

The Asgardian tailor barely glanced up. "You will be dressed according to station, not whatever this is." He gestured vaguely at Diego, who looked personally offended.

"This?" Diego repeated, placing a hand on his chest. "This is years of cultivated style. You should be taking notes."

The tailor did not take notes.

Anthony, already picking through the fabrics, muttered, "If this place has anything close to a decent fit, I’ll take it. Not wearing one of those damn capes, though."

"Shame," Diego said. "I was looking forward to seeing you embrace your inner royalty."

Donald, who had resigned himself to standing there while the attendants prepared his usual Asgardian armor, exhaled through his nose. "Can we move this along?"

"Patience, brother," Loki, who just arrived, said, lounging against a column. "Fashion is an art."

The group stood before the grand mirror, each taking in their newly outfitted selves with varying levels of approval.

Nero adjusted the high collar of his Asgardian tunic—deep black, embroidered with faint gold etchings that hinted at rank without being excessive. The cape was draped lightly over one shoulder, something he had already decided would be abandoned at the first chance.

Anthony turned slightly, stretching his arms. "Not bad. Feels lighter than I expected." His was a fitted sleeveless armor piece, made of darkened steel with golden seams, allowing full mobility. "Still not wearing a cape, though."

Diego, admiring himself at every possible angle, flicked the royal blue sash at his waist, running a hand down the deep red and gold-trimmed tunic . "I look powerful. Regal. Dangerous, even."

"You look dramatic," Donald muttered, adjusting the thick leather strap over his shoulder that secured his hammer in place. His armor was heavier than the rest—fitting for the one Asgard considered their prince.

Nigel adjusted the cuffs of his deep charcoal Asgardian tunic, the fabric subtly lined with silver, a long dark coat draped over his shoulders. “I believe this is enough to meet the All-Father.”

Diego gave him a once-over. “Damn, Nigel, you actually look kind of—”

“Finish that sentence, and I leave you in Jotunheim,” Nigel interrupted.

Diego clicked his tongue. “Fine, keep your secrets.”

Before they could continue, the doors opened, and Maria and Sofia walked in with Sif.

Maria approached Nero immediately, resting a hand on his arm as her fingers traced the embroidered details of his tunic. “You’re keeping this,” she said. “For later.”

Nero didn’t even hesitate. “Obviously.”

Sofia smirked. “Are you two flirting, or are you just reminding us that you don’t believe in shame?”

Maria didn’t look away from Nero. “Can’t it be both?”

Diego let out a low whistle, eyes sweeping over their outfits. “Sofia, I’ve got to say, this is a moment for you.”

Sofia adjusted the strap of her armor, the sleek midnight-blue leather fitted perfectly, reinforced without looking bulky. “I know.”

Diego took one look at Maria and sighed. “This is going to be a problem.”

Maria tilted her head. “Why?”

“Because you look like you’re about to ruin a kingdom and look good doing it.”

Maria smiled. “Flattering.”

Nero wrapped his arm around Maria. “She’s always dangerously beautiful, but I gotta admit, the clothes work.”

Maria smirked, leaning into him like she already knew. “See? Proper appreciation.”

Sofia shot Anthony a glare. “Can you at least be like Diego and praise me?”

Anthony barely glanced over. “You look good.”

Sofia folded her arms. “Wow. Try saying that with even a fraction of enthusiasm.”

Anthony sighed, giving her another once-over. “Alright, alright. You look really damn good.”

Sofia tilted her head. “Better.”

Diego clapped a hand on Anthony’s shoulder. “See? Was that so hard? Meanwhile, I’ve been hyping everyone up for free.”

Nigel barely glanced up. “Perhaps if you stopped talking so much, the silence itself would be a compliment.”

Diego clicked his tongue. “Rude. Just say you’re jealous.”

Donald, done with this already, exhaled. “Can we get going?”

Sif crossed her arms, still unimpressed with him. “You’re in a hurry now? How convenient.”

Donald met her gaze. “I was in a hurry before you dragged them off for a dress-up session.”

Sif smirked. “And yet, here you are, still waiting.”

Diego held up a hand. “Hold up—are you two about to fight, or is this, like, weird foreplay? Because I need to know how much secondhand embarrassment I should prepare for.”

Anthony nodded. “Yeah, if we should be looking away, just tell us now.”

Donald ignored them both. “Let’s move.”

Loki, lounging near the door, looked entirely too pleased with the delay. “Such urgency, Thor. Almost like you’re avoiding something.”

Donald shot him a look. “Do you want me to throw you through a wall?”

Loki gestured vaguely. “Just making an observation.”

Nero stepped past them, tugging Maria along. “Enough. Let’s get this over with before someone actually gets launched into the sky.”

They walked through the halls, Asgardian guards nodding as they passed. Diego, trailing behind, adjusted his cape unnecessarily. “I’m just saying, if we’re already here, we should at least enjoy the royal treatment.”

Sofia scoffed. “You just want more people to look at you.”

Diego placed a hand over his heart. “Is that a crime?”

Anthony shook his head. “For you? Feels like it should be.”

As they neared the throne room, the massive golden doors opened without hesitation. Odin sat on the throne, expression unreadable as always. Frigga stood beside him, watching them with the kind of knowing gaze that made even the most confident people second-guess themselves.

“Ah, the travelers return,” Odin said.

Donald stepped forward. "Father. Mother."

Nero followed suit with the gang behind him. "All-Father. Queen Frigga."

Odin nodded, his gaze settling on Nero longer than the rest. "You have been busy."

Frigga smiled, though there was a knowing edge to it. "Quite a spectacle, watching you dismantle Midgard’s… aristocracy."

Diego crossed his arms. "We prefer ‘strategic redistribution of power.’"

Sofia leaned slightly into Anthony. "That’s a fancy way of saying we made rich people cry."

Anthony smirked. "And not even the fun kind of crying."

Odin exhaled, unimpressed by the commentary. He gestured toward Donald and Nero. "The two of you will speak with me in private."

Donald didn't hesitate, already striding forward. Nero exchanged a glance with Maria, then followed.

Loki, lounging against a column, waved after them. "Enjoy your scolding."

Sif elbowed him as the doors shut behind Nero and Donald.

Inside, Odin studied them both before speaking. "I will not waste time. The Tesseract. What do you intend to do with it? Do you know what it is."

Nero chuckled. "I assure you, I know what the Tesseract really is. The Space Stone, though powerful, doesn't interest me."

Odin studied him, unreadable as always. "Yet you keep it."

"I keep it safe," Nero corrected. "I'm not in the habit of leaving dangerous things lying around."

Donald shifted his weight slightly, arms crossed. "It’s better with us than in the hands of someone who’d actually use it."

Odin exhaled, gaze flicking between them. "If it is such a burden to protect, returning it to Asgard would be the most logical solution."

Nero smiled, but there was no agreement in it. "If I thought Asgard was the safest place for it, I would’ve handed it over already."

Donald muttered something under his breath, but Odin ignored him. "You have made quite the impression on Midgard’s rulers," the All-Father said, eyes narrowing slightly. "And not one they appreciate."

Nero shrugged. "That was the point."

Odin nodded slowly, like he had already expected the answer. "So I gathered."

After a deep sigh, Odin said, “I feel trouble coming for those stones very soon. If you find it troublesome to protect it, return it to Asgard. I promise I will keep it safe.”

Nero raised an eyebrow. “With all due respect, I don’t think keeping them in Knowhere is safe.”

Odin snapped his gaze to him, his posture shifting as he stood abruptly. “How do you know that name?”

Nero shrugged. “I know things.”

Donald crossed his arms. “What’s in Knowhere?”

Odin’s expression darkened, but he didn’t answer immediately.

Nero continued, “The trouble you’re feeling? It’s already moving. It’ll come for the stones no matter where you hide them. It’s better if Asgard stays out of it.”

After leaving the room, Nero and Donald joined the others for the feast.

The grand hall was already loud, filled with the sounds of feasting Asgardians, the clinking of golden goblets, and the occasional burst of laughter. The table was lined with more food than any normal person could finish in a lifetime, but Asgardians weren’t exactly normal.

Diego was already making himself at home, legs kicked up on an empty chair as he casually flipped a dagger between his fingers. "You know, for all the godly nonsense, you guys throw a damn good dinner party."

Anthony grabbed a slab of meat off a passing tray. "Yeah, as long as you don’t get challenged to a drinking contest. Last time, Donald nearly killed a guy."

"Correction," Donald said, sitting down, "he nearly killed himself by thinking he could outdrink me."

Sofia stabbed a piece of fruit with her fork. "Still, might be fun to watch someone try again."

Maria, already sipping from a goblet, gestured at Nero. "Think you could take them?"

Nero glanced around at the warriors downing entire barrels. "Not interested in drinking myself into a coma tonight, thanks."

"Good choice," Nigel muttered, placing a plate in front of himself with the efficiency of someone who had already accepted his fate of being surrounded by chaos.

Loki took his seat across from Donald, swirling his wine. "I must say, seeing you back here with your… entourage is quite the spectacle."

Donald barely acknowledged him. "Eat your food, Loki."

Loki smirked. "As you command, dear brother."

Diego leaned forward, resting his elbow on the long feast table as he propped his chin on his hand, watching Loki with an expression that could only be described as predatory amusement. “You know, Loki, for someone who enjoys talking, you’re awfully quiet tonight.”

Loki didn’t spare him a glance, idly swirling his wine. “Oh, please. I am not like you, enjoying my own voice more than anything.”

“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t love it,” Diego grinned. “You enjoy attention. And here I am, giving you all of mine.”

Maria muttered into her goblet, “This is going to be a disaster.”

“Disaster implies there’s something to ruin,” Nero pointed out.

Sofia, tearing into a piece of bread, flicked a glance toward Loki. “You gonna ignore him forever, or are we finally witnessing the moment someone out-charms Diego?”

Loki took a slow sip, eyes flickering with something unreadable. “I find persistent mortals exhausting.”

Diego smirked. “That’s not a no.”

Before Loki could respond, a group of Asgardian maidens approached the table, their eyes on Donald. One of them, braver than the rest, stepped forward with a tentative smile. “My lord Thor, it is good to see you again.”

Sif, still mid-drink, didn’t even look before she spoke. “Keep walking.”

The girl hesitated, glancing between Donald and Sif. Whatever she saw in Sif’s face was enough to make her rethink her choices. She nodded quickly and retreated, the others following.

Diego whistled, raising his goblet. “That was smooth.”

Volstagg, already several drinks deep, barked out a laugh. “Smooth? More like terrifying!”

Fandral smirked. “Truly, our mighty Thor is now tied in the balls.”

They barely had a second to enjoy their joke before Sif’s hand shot out, smacking each of them upside the head with enough force to rattle their drinks.

Nero took a slow sip, unimpressed. “I thought Asgardians were supposed to be warriors.”

Hogun, who had wisely stayed silent, nodded. “We are. We would die on the battlefield, but women. No, they are scary.”

Volstagg, still rubbing the back of his head where Sif had smacked him, grumbled, “Aye, worse than any war.”

Diego smirked. “Sif, I respect your work. You keep this one in check, and I’m all for it.”

Donald sighed, reaching for his drink. “She doesn’t ‘keep me in check.’”

Sif, mid-sip, side-eyed him. “Are you sure?”

Anthony let out a low whistle. “Damn. Can’t even save yourself.”

Sofia nodded. “Honestly? It’s deserved.”

Donald ignored them all, choosing violence instead by turning to Loki. “How’s it feel knowing she could probably take you down too?”

Loki didn’t look up from his goblet. “I find it charming.”

Diego leaned in, propping his chin on his hand. “You like it when people can beat your ass? Noted.”

Loki smirked. “Only when it’s worth my time.”

Diego grinned. “Now, was that a flirt or an insult? Because I have to say, you’re not very clear. How about I show you my ass-beating skills?"

Loki took a slow sip of his drink, barely sparing him a glance. “I don’t believe I require a demonstration.”

Sofia scoffed. “That’s just Loki-speak for ‘I don’t want to admit I’d lose.’”

“Or enjoy it,” Diego added, smirking.

Anthony groaned. “Someone throw him off the balcony.”

Sif, still unimpressed, glanced at Donald. “This is one of your closest friends?”

Donald sighed. “Unfortunately.”

----------

Hello you all,

Wanted to have a little conversation with my dear readers. What is "peak" for you? Do you have anything that you can certainly point to and say, "This is peak"? Of course, I know the definition of peak—if we are not talking about literal elements like a mountain peak or statistical highs—is very subjective, but I am curious nonetheless. Well, I will go first.

For me, "peak" is Killua Zoldyck from Hunter x Hunter. !!!!!Spoiler Alert!!!!! He began as a cold, detached character who had no friends and was conditioned by his family to become an emotionless assassin, going as far as stabbing his own mother and brother without remorse. However, as he discovered friendship through Gon, Killua slowly began breaking free from his family's toxic influence. This journey reached its emotional peak during the Chimera Ant arc, where Gon, consumed by his own grief and anger, turned his back on Killua, leaving him heartbroken. Yet, despite the pain of rejection and betrayal, Killua risked everything, including defying his powerful family and placing Alluka in danger, to save Gon—without ever expecting gratitude in return. That, for me, is peak character development.

Secondly, it's Avenged Sevenfold’s "Live in the LBC" performance in 2008. Just one year later, they tragically lost their incredible drummer, The Rev. Whenever I rewatch that live show, I can't help but get emotional. For me, this performance symbolizes the peak of their unity, talent, and passion.

These two examples are peak experiences for me. Now I would love to hear yours! Please share your personal peaks.

Thanks!