The five chosen team members all turned their eyes to Malrick.
"Malrick, how should we prepare these next few days? Any advice?" Banner asked with a mix of curiosity and nerves.
Pietro, restless as always, rubbed his hands together. "Boss, maybe you could give us another round of special training? We're about to face gods, and Wanda and I only just started figuring out our powers…"
Wanda shot him a look, startled by his words. She had already glimpsed Asgard's might through her dreams. The gods she'd seen wielded weapons of immense power, warriors who thrived in close combat. Against such opponents, how many of them could Pietro truly handle?
But the moment she thought about Malrick's inner dimension—the one he sometimes used for training—she didn't protest. She just nodded quietly.
Tony leaned in, ever curious. "Special training? Wait—are you talking about that thing where two hours out here equals a month inside? You mean when you cried and clung to my pant leg begging to stop?"
Pietro reddened instantly, but Tony ignored his glare and focused on Malrick. "Actually, I like the idea. C'mon, give us that training, Malrick. Nine days outside? That's practically ten years of prep. With that much time, even a god won't be able to scratch my Mark Armor."
"You said ten years?" Malrick raised an eyebrow, expression flat, like an old man staring at a phone he didn't understand. "We're facing Asgardians, not prepping for retirement. Do you want to walk into battle looking like you're pushing fifty?"
The group hesitated, realizing that, except for Wanda, most of them had inflated Asgard in their minds into full-blown mythology.
Malrick sighed. "Special training isn't necessary," he said, shaking his head. "Don't stress yourselves. Aside from a few exceptions, Asgardians are about on par with Captain America."
He continued matter-of-factly, "Their physiology is denser—three times that of humans—and their strength comes from their divine energy. If you eat well, rest properly, and keep your minds clear, you'll be ready. You'll win."
His calm tone and confidence spread through the group like warmth.
"Win, huh…" Mordo muttered, shoulders easing. Banner unclenched his fists, relief flickering in his eyes.
Even Pietro let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His trust in Malrick ran deep. If Malrick had told him he could take him to another universe and turn him into the Flash, Pietro would've believed it without hesitation.
Only Tony remained unconvinced. "You sound like a prison warden serving a death-row inmate a steak dinner before the electric chair."
"You're overthinking it," Malrick said. He opened a glowing portal with his Sling Ring and stepped halfway through. "Relax. Treat this as a trip to another world, nothing more than sparring with locals. If you need me these next few days, reach me online. I might not always respond immediately, but I'll check. Just remember, meet here the morning of the 25th."
With that, he vanished through the portal.
The others exchanged looks.
"So… eat, sleep, relax, and then meet back here on Christmas morning?" Pietro asked, breaking the silence.
Tony rolled his eyes, activating his own Sling Ring and stepping into a shimmering circle of sparks. "I've got nine days to refine my armor. I'll be busy. Don't take Malrick's words too literally. Asgard isn't weak. No one gets called a god for being average."
He paused before disappearing, leaving a sharp warning. "Malrick's energy is like a walking star. Just because he thinks Asgard is no big deal doesn't mean we should. Don't underestimate them."
The portal sealed behind him, but Tony's words lingered.
"A star? Isn't that pushing it?" Wong muttered, squinting up at the blazing sun overhead.
But Wanda's quiet voice cut in, steady and certain. "He's right."
When Malrick appeared earlier, Wanda had felt it. Even with his aura carefully restrained, Chaos Magic let her see the truth. His energy now was staggering, like a miniature sun sealed in human form. If he unleashed it, destroying the real sun—and by extension the entire solar system—wouldn't be impossible.
The thought made her shiver.
Wanda opened her own portal. "Malrick is stronger than we realize. But I don't think Asgard is as terrifying as Tony imagines. I'll see you all in nine days."
Pietro saluted playfully and followed. "If the Boss says there's no problem, then there's no problem. See you on Christmas!"
One by one, the main team dispersed.
Mordo and Banner lingered, their eyes betraying the same tension. Malrick's words had eased their minds, but the truth remained—they were facing gods, beings who had lived for thousands of years. How could anyone not feel pressure?
"Want to train together, Master Mordo?" Banner asked.
Mordo almost agreed—then remembered Banner's other half. Images of Hulk roaring in the arena replayed in his mind. He stiffened and quickly shook his head. "No. You're… more of a Beast Master. I'm a Battle Mage. Our methods don't align."
Without waiting for a reply, he recruited a few of the younger sorcerers nearby as sparring partners.
Banner sighed and turned toward Wong and Hamir, only for both Masters to immediately step back. "We need to prepare gifts," they said in unison.
Dejected, Banner grabbed his enchanted briefcase. "Fine. I'll keep working on the spatial reinforcement charms."
…
Time slipped by as the chosen seven readied themselves.
Tony in particular pushed harder than anyone. Determined to adapt his armor for the challenge ahead, he devoured every scrap of Norse mythology Jarvis had compiled. Based on the stories, he integrated no fewer than ten new countermeasures into his next design.
By the morning of December 25th, his latest creation was complete—the Mark XV, dubbed the Anti-Asgard Armor. Nervous yet proud, he donned the sleek new suit and took Pepper's hand as they stepped through the portal into Kamar-Taj.
They weren't the first to arrive.
Because of the occasion, nearly everyone had brought loved ones. While the team prepared for the coming trial in Asgard, they would also spend Christmas together.
Tony arrived with Pepper, Malrick with Natasha, her sister, and Sherry. Banner had Betty by his side, and Wong arrived with his girlfriend, Sara.
Only Mordo and Hamir stood alone.
The air buzzed with both anticipation and unease. Soon, the real test would begin.
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I apologize for not uploading yesterday, I wasn't aware that I skipped it 🥀