The next day
Ed POV
Right now I'm on the beach on my island, just enjoying the view. Agumon and Courage are with me, Courage curled up on my lap while I'm absentmindedly rubbing his head. I'm sitting in a rocking chair beside a small table with a folded newspaper on it, the three of us shaded under a big umbrella.
For once, I'm actually relaxing. It's rare for me to just do nothing all day, but hey… everything is going pretty damn well.
We're getting ready to take down the Hellfire Club soon. The Fantastic Four situation is lining up. Bucky's finally cleared from all the mind control too, he's still unconscious, but alive and himself again. Ruby's been waiting patiently to meet him.
Speaking of reunions, the Frost Sisters finally agreed to let Steve into their lives, and Steve couldn't be happier.
Honestly? Things are falling into place better than I expected.
Even my poll numbers shot up after yesterday's press conference.
I leaned back in the chair, listening to the waves and letting myself have this tiny moment of peace.
Yesterday at the press conference
"Okay, I don't have a lot of time, so I can answer a couple more questions," I said.
Hands shot up everywhere. People shouting my name. I pointed at one reporter.
"Mr. Valtheris, there are rumors that you are dating Lena Luthor. Are they true?" the man asked.
I blinked, caught off guard, but I didn't let it show. "I'm sorry… what?"
"There are pictures of you and Lena Luthor having dinner at multiple restaurants," he added.
Seriously? A guy can't take a friend out to dinner anymore? Sure, I've been doing it more often lately, but that's only because I actually enjoy spending time with Lena. How annoying.
"Well, let me put those rumors to rest," I said. "Me and Lena Luthor are just friends, nothing else."
"Is it really wise for you to be friends with a Luthor?" he pushed.
"I'm not following," I said flatly.
"Lena Luthor is the sister of Lex Luthor, the maniac who turned the sun red to kill Superman and committed multiple acts of terrorism. Do you think it's wise to associate with her when her family is… not in the best position?"
"Sins of the father, much?" I said.
"What?"
"It's a saying," I explained. "You're putting all of Lex Luthor's crimes on Lena, and I don't appreciate that. Lena Luthor is devoting her life to making the world a better place. She's carrying the Luthor name, the one Lex dishonored, and she could easily walk away from the company and live in luxury. But she doesn't. She works hard. She became the CEO of L-Corp. She's trying to undo the damage her family name caused."
I looked around at all of them.
"To be honest? The Luthor name doesn't even deserve her."
A few reporters shifted uncomfortably. Good.
"I know a lot of you already have your minds made up, thinking Lena Luthor is going to be the next Lex Luthor." I shook my head. "She won't. She's better. And she will change the world—just like I'm trying to."
"Because Lena Luthor isn't some evil mastermind. She's smart, calculating… and kind."I smiled. "Which, honestly, means she's way out of my league."
A few people laughed.
"So do me a favor. Look at Lena's actions, not her brother. Look at her without bias. Then maybe you'll see what I see."
End of flashback
Apparently, people liked that I can "see the good in people."Whatever gets me votes, I guess.
All of a sudden, a massive book slammed onto the table where the newspaper was. I turned around, and to my surprise, it was Amora.
"Sup," I said.
"I want to make a deal with you," Amora said.
I raised an eyebrow. Suspicious, but listening. Ruby did say Amora changed a lot… though this was still Amora. Queen of Manipulation. Goddess of Red Flags.
"What's the deal?" I asked.
"I heard you've been training to learn magic," she said. "I am quite adept in the mystical arts and have lived for a very long time. I wrote down thousands of spells in this grimoire, and I can write down more for you. But I want one thing in return."
"And what would that be?" I asked, already expecting something insane, like overthrowing Asgard, or stealing Odin's lunch money. You know, classic Amora stuff.
Instead she said:
"I want to trade my life for my sister… and I need you to contact the All-Father."
"Say what?" I blurted, completely thrown off.
"My body is almost done healing, meaning most of my abilities have returned," she continued. "And I can sense my sister is still alive. I want you to contact the All-Father and arrange the exchange, my life for hers. And I want you to protect her. Let her have a life here, not in Asgard."
"…Why?" I asked.
"Because it's my fault she's in prison," Amora admitted quietly. "My foolish desire to be queen. She always did what I wanted… always tried to please me. She deserves to live the life she wants. She will need guidance, and I want Ruby to be that beacon for her. That is my request. If you promise to do this, I will give you all the magical knowledge I have gathered over the centuries."
I didn't say anything for a few seconds.
Ruby… somehow managed to make Amora the Enchantress into a good person. I didn't think it was even possible. Honestly, I had half-expected Amora to betray everyone the moment she got her powers back.
But here she was, owning her mistakes, ready to sacrifice herself for her sister.
And now… I kinda felt like a dick for ever doubting Ruby.
"No," I said.
Amora blinked. "What?"
"No." I repeated, firmer this time. "Something I learned from a very wise man, we do not trade lives."
"But there is no other way… and I want to be punished for my crimes," she said, voice trembling just a little.
"There's always another way," I told her. "Trust me. And yeah, accepting punishment is easy. Anyone can give up and say they deserve pain. But redeeming yourself? Actually becoming better? That's crazy hard."
I stepped closer.
"So here's what's going to happen: I'll find a way to contact Odin. I'll bring your sister here, both of you, if she behaves, and you two are going to help us make this world better. That's how you'll redeem yourselves."
Amora stared at me, stunned. "I don't know what to say…"
"Don't say anything yet," I said. "Because I have no idea how I'm actually going to pull this off."
I stood up, Courage still tucked in my arms.
"But I'm going to use every bit of power I have to help you, Amora. That, you can be sure of. This won't be your final day."
I gently set Courage into her arms, then teleported away in a flash.
Later that day
"So… you want me to contact Odin so you can make a deal with him," the Ancient One said.
"Yes."
"And what exactly would this deal even be, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I'm going to tell him how to stop Ragnarok," I said.
Her eyes widened slightly. "Meaning you're planning to tell him about his future, which I highly suggest you do not do."
Right now I was in Kamar-Taj, because honestly, the only person I knew who could reach Odin was the Ancient One herself.
"Why not?" I shrugged. "I'm not going to spoil everything. Just a few key events."
"Even a few 'key events' can destabilize the timeline," she warned. "And the path we are on must remain stable."
"Okay, then I won't tell him the specifics," I said. "I could give him a clever riddle, I'm sure he can figure it out, he's smart enough, then he can piece it all together, in return, all I want is Lorelei in amore."
The Ancient One let out a slow breath. "You are playing a dangerous game. Odin is an ancient and powerful god. Do you really think you can bargain with him?"
"Odin is also very wise," I said. "And he should know better than to make enemies he doesn't fully understand. And baby," I gestured to myself, "I'm a mystery."
She actually smirked. "Fine. I will help you. Give me a moment."
She rose from her seat and began moving her hands in precise patterns, forming an elaborate magical circle in the air. Even for me, it was mesmerizing to watch. After a minute, she completed the circle and pushed her hand forward.
It vanished.
A moment later, a scroll materialized out of thin air.
"Damn, that was fast," I said.
She opened the scroll. A small smile touched her lips as she read the contents.
She closed the scroll. "All right. I've just received word, we can travel to Asgard now."
"That quick? How good of friends are you and Odin?" I asked.
"We have known each other for a very long time," the Ancient One replied.
She opened a portal to a snowy mountain peak. We stepped through, and the gateway closed behind us, leaving us in freezing winds and endless white.
"I know I'm immune to the cold and everything," I said, shivering out of pure irritation, "but this is still annoying."
"Give him a moment," she said calmly. "He is still a little upset with me… from when I out-drank him a thousand years ago."
"…Wait. What?"
Before she could answer, the sky split open. A massive, purple, glowing figure dove from the heavens like a comet and slammed into the ground onto us. The shockwave burst upwardand suddenly whoosh, me and the Ancient One were pulled up, transported in a blink.
We appeared inside a vast gold-laden hall, the sheer spiritual pressure of the place almost knocking the breath out of me. I looked around, stunned. I had never felt anything like this before, power ancient enough to make the air feel heavy.
"It was a tie," a deep voice rumbled.
I turned toward the sound.
And there he stood, a towering man clad head-to-toe in golden armor, a massive sword strapped across his back, presence so immense it felt like the room bent around him.
Heimdall.
"Yes… it was," the Ancient One replied smoothly, smiling just a little. "I must have misremembered."
"The All-Father is expecting you. Please make your way to the palace," Heimdall said.
Heimdall, the all-seeing god, one of the strongest Asgardians besides Odin and Thor themselves. His presence alone felt like a divine spotlight on my soul. The Ancient One didn't even flinch; she simply turned and headed toward the palace. I followed close behind.
As we walked, I could feel Heimdall's eyes locked on me the entire time. I decided to ignore it. If he didn't see anything dangerous in me, we'd be fine. If he did… well, too late now.
The path to the palace gave me the full Asgard tour: towering structures trimmed in gold, everything shining like the sun on steroids. Honestly, it was beautiful. Also made me wonder where they got all this gold. Mining asteroids? Possible. Old-school conquering and plundering the Nine Realms? …Yeah, probably that. So basically, it's blood gold. Great.
It was a long walk, but eventually we reached the palace gates. The guards didn't even question us, just stepped aside and let us through, which surprised me. A servant appeared and silently guided us through one ornate hallway after another.
As we moved deeper in, I noticed something unexpected: every Asgardian we passed looked at the Ancient One with a kind of deep respect. Not fear, respect. How much influence does she have here?
Finally, we reached the throne room.
And there they were.
Odin, seated on his throne, radiating ancient power like it was gravity.Thor, standing straight-backed beside him.Loki, sharp-eyed and unreadable as always.Frigga, watching with calm warmth.
Both I and the Ancient One bowed out of respect.
"Odin," the Ancient One greeted with a slight bow.
"Yao… it has been a long time," Odin rumbled. "I was surprised when I received your message."
"Yes, it has, Odin. But protecting Earth from evil tends to keep one busy for a few thousand years," she replied calmly.
Odin chuckled. "Still the same as ever, I see."
"I try not to change too much," she said. "But I'm not here to catch up. I'm here to introduce you to Edward Valtheris. He has a proposal for you… and I suggest you hear him out."
Just like that, all the tension, all the divine attention in the room, landed directly on me.
I stepped forward."I have future knowledge regarding Ragnarok," I said. "And I'm willing to give it to you, so you can stop it. But I want two things in return."
Loki let out a scoff so sharp it almost echoed.
"A mortal thinks he can bargain with a god," Loki said, eyes full of disgust. "This is the most foolish thing I have ever heard. If you truly know of Ragnarok, then you will give us that information."
"Silence, Loki," Odin snapped.
The command shook the room. Loki froze instantly.
"This conversation," Odin said, turning to him, "is between me and the friend of an old friend. No one will interfere."
Then his gaze locked onto me again."Continue."
"Thank you," I said. Then I shot Loki a pointed look. "And for your information… I'm not a mortal. I'm a demigod."
I turned my attention back to Odin.
"As I was saying, I want two things. I want Lorelei released into my custody to come to Earth. And I want a full pardon for both her and Amora."
The moment the words left my mouth, the shift in the throne room was immediate.Thor stiffened.Frigga's calm expression cracked.Loki looked ready to explode.Even Odin's single eye narrowed.
The anger rolling off the royal family was practically visible.
"You have Amora," Thor growled, folding his fists. "You will hand her over immediately. She must face Asgardian justice."
"Sorry, but no," I said calmly. "She's under my protection. And I'm here to get her sister as well."
Thor took a step forward, jaw clenched. "You truly expect us to allow that? She is a traitor to Asgard and must be executed, along with her sister. Keeping her makes you a harborer of fugitives. As the next King of Asgard, I demand you bring her to us."
His hand dropped to the handle of Mjolnir.
"Or there will be consequences."
I couldn't help it, I laughed a little. Just enough to annoy him. Which it did.
"My apologies," I said, still grinning. "Your arrogance just reminded me of someone. And honestly? He's way more prideful than you, and somehow still way more humble."I thought of Escanor and the one time we sparred. Yeah… Thor wasn't even close.
"Look, I know Amora's done terrible things. Trust me, I didn't trust her at first either. But I promised someone I'd help her redeem herself. And believe it or not, she's actually close. She wanted to trade her life for her sister's. That has to mean something."
"It means nothing!" Thor snapped. "She took control of my mind, made me attack my own father! She will pay!"
"Then let me offer a different punishment," I said. "If you're so keen on seeing them suffer."
"No, you wil—"
"Enough, Thor." Odin's voice cut through the room like a blade.
"Father?"
"I said enough," Odin thundered, the force behind it shaking the air. Thor clamped his jaw shut, though his hand stayed on his hammer. His rage was practically radiating.
Odin exhaled slowly and turned his single eye toward me."Let me hear your suggestion. If I do not like it, you will return Amora."
"Fair enough," I said. "Amora and Lorelei committed treason, true. But why kill them? Death is mercy. Banish them instead. Let them live among mortals. I'll take full responsibility for both. They won't cause trouble for Asgard or Midgard again."
Odin's expression stayed unreadable, so I continued.
"If you grant me that, I'll tell you about Ragnarok. But to protect the timeline, I'll have to speak in riddles. And I promise, I can help you stop it."
Loki let out a sharp hiss of amusement.
"Of course. Riddles instead of answers. How convenient for you."
Odin sat in silence, studying me. His one eye flicked briefly toward the Ancient One, reading her expression, then returned to me with full focus.
"The riddle first," Odin said.
"Give me your word that you'll grant my request for Lorelei and Amora," I replied firmly.
"You have my word," Odin said, his voice carrying the weight of a vow.
I nodded once, then spoke.
"The third will betray for his obsession; in his hunger to please the rest, he will fall. Lost among the stars, he'll be found by the Mad One, twisted into an instrument of chaos, sent to reclaim the stones of space.
The first will rise death in her shadow, an army in her wake. She will slaughter without mercy.
The second will face her, and in doing so, unleash Ragnarok.
Asgard shattered reduced to drifting rock and dust.
Only then will the Mad One strike, bringing ruin to what remains. The second will stand broken… and lost."
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AN: I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.