Chapter 1

(1 week earlier)

Magical energy swirled and coalesced, forming a portal of brilliant light. From out of the portal some familiar figures stepped. Astrid, gripping the legendary Gungnir in one hand while her other held Hiccup's hand, walked confidently through the portal. She looked at her surroundings and suddenly came to a stop causing those walking out after her to bump into each other.

"Hey Astrid why did you stop?" Ruffnut asked from the rear. Her brother tilted her head up and she then gasped. Dagur didn't have time to look up, he instead was covering his mouth and trying not to puke. He even looked a little green around the edges. Snotlout who was next to him wisely scooted away. Heather rolled her eyes at her brother while Meixiu muttered "Oh come on! You get portal sickness now!!"

"Guys you might want to take a look at this." Snotlout mumbled as he too had stopped to stare.

"What in Yaksville happened here?!" Gobber exclaimed upon seeing the destruction. They were expecting to see Asgard, the golden realm of the gods, not Asgard, the golden realm of the gods, on fire. All around them buildings lay in ruins, higher towers had smoke coming out of them and other small fires could be seen in the distance.

"We have a bigger problem." Valka said and then gestured at something. It was then that the gang noticed the people around them. Most of those people must have backed away when the portal opened. Many of those who were watching them held expressions of surprise and fear. Some pointed fearfully at Gungnir, and women clutched their children to them and tried to shield them if anything were to happen.

"We should probably assure them that we don't mean any harm." Eret suggested but before anyone could do anything the clanging footsteps of soldiers in armor could be heard approaching.

"I really don't want to spend another night in a cell." Fishlegs mumbled as the civilians made way for an impressive amount of soldiers dressed in golden armor.

"Isn't this a bit over the top?" Snotlout asked as the soldiers surrounded them, spears and swords drawn. "I mean, we haven't done anything."

"Who dares enter Asgard unannounced!" Was shouted as a line of soldiers parted to reveal two figures dressed in brilliant gleaming silver-like armor approaching them. One was carrying a spear while the other had his hand on his sword hilt ready to strike.

"I would think we were expected." Hiccup mumbled.

"Silence!" One of the men shouted. "Do you think we would fall for your trickery? Has your master Sutr sent you to finish the job?"

"Sutr?!" Astrid asked causing the two men to look at her. "Is he the one responsible for all this destruction?"

"Freyr look!" The Asgardian holding the spear said, ignoring Astrid's question and instead pointing at her. "She holds Gungnir!" Several soldiers gasped upon hearing that and they looked ready to charge into battle.

"I knew we should have used the front door." Gobber mumbled.

"Not now Gobber!" Stoick whispered.

"Just saying that we should have rung the doorbell." Gobber whispered back.

The man called Freyr unsheathed his sword and said "Are these the villains who dared to steal our King's treasure?!"

"Hey we're just returning this!" Ruffnut shouted back. "I don't care how many bulging muscles you have!! How dare you accuse us!!"

"Silence you wench!" Freyr yelled. "Tyr they must be in league with Sutr."

"Now just hold on a minute!" Astrid said as her hand reached for her axe. "We are from Midgard!"

Both Tyr and Freyr suddenly started laughing at that. Astrid opened her mouth but nothing came out. This was not what she had thought would happen. "Midgardians?! You guys claim to be Midgardians?!!" Freyr couldn't stop laughing. "You hear that Tyr, Midgardians!!"

"You lot might want to come up with a better lie than that." Tyr guffawed.

"We aren't lying!" Astrid countered.

"Oh really now." Tyr chuckled. "Never before has a Midgardian stepped foot on Asgard soil. You actually expect us to believe something like that." Freyr gave a signal and the soldiers pointed their spears at the gang. They started to slowly advance until a calm but loud voice rang through the square where the portal had been opened.

"HALT!" Was shouted causing both Freyr and Tyr to turn and see who the person disturbing them was. Hiccup and the others saw their eyes narrow upon seeing a slim figure, with long black hair, standing on the balcony above dressed in flowing blue and black robes that looked to be of the highest quality.

"Why do you stop us!" Tyr hissed as he pointed an accusing finger at the newcomer. The 'you' had been stressed and indicated that the silver armored man was anything but happy to see this person.

"They are expected at the palace." The newcomer simply states. He glances down at Tyr and Frey and then at Hiccup and Astrid. When the two men were about to object again he added "This is by order of the Allfather himself." At that statement the soldiers lowered their weapons and both Tyr and Freyr reluctantly stood down.

The soldiers stood at attention while Freyr said towards Astrid "Follow us, we shall escort you to the palace." The soldiers then flanked both sides of the group, boxing them in if they were to try something, and once they were out of the square they were joined by the man that had stopped the soldiers from turning them into Swiss cheese.

Hiccup and the others noticed early on that the soldiers as well as the two Asgardians, Tyr and Freyr, wanted to avoid interacting with this person as much as possible. Ruffnut however broke the ice when she rather bluntly questioned "So do these people think you're going to swallow them whole or something? I'm Ruffnut by the way, what's your name? And where do you get your hair done?"

The flurry of questions from Ruffnut had caught the man off guard for a moment before he recovered and tried to stifle a laugh. "My friends call me Jerry." He told them and Hiccup discreetly raised a brow when he heard Tyr whisper "What friends?" Jerry however acted like he hadn't heard the man and thought for a moment "I do my hair myself, and as for swallowing them whole, that is an option." He gave Ruffnut a wink causing her to laugh.

The journey to the large golden palace was largely silent except for Snotlout who asked "How come an Asgardian is named Jerry?" To which said Asgardian responded with "It's a nickname. I'll give you something good if you can guess my real name."

"Challenge accepted!!" Snotlout shouted suddenly, startling several soldiers.

"Oh dear" Valka groaned as she could only imagine what would happen.

Once they came before the large golden doors of the palace Jerry turned to the soldiers assembled and said "I shall escort them further myself."

"You?!" Freyr commented "What if these people try to harm the Allfather."

"You think I cannot protect the Allfather?!" Jerry questioned, his demeanor changing, as his eyes narrowed. "Do you so easily forget just who you are talking to?"

"Of course not." Freyr nearly sputtered. "I am simply being cautious."

"Besides, they are to be the Allfather's honored guests." Jerry deadpanned. "I doubt they are here to assassinate our king."

Freyr wanted to say more but he held his tongue. The regiment of soldiers was dismissed and Jerry proceeded to guide the gang through the large halls of the palace.

"This is a lot of gold." Dagur commented as they walked past delicately decorated golden ivy leaves that were etched into the broad pillars and archways. The high vaulted ceilings held intricate portraits that told stories millenia old. Yet the destruction wasn't only in the city, the palace had suffered some damage as well as seen by the broken pillars that they passed and the large hole in the wall.

"That isn't gold." Jerry explained as they were nearing the Throne room. "It is Orichalcum. Quite sturdy." The guards that stood on either side of the large doors opened it upon seeing the approaching group. The Throne room itself was splendid. Busts of warriors lined the hall, and the high vaulted ceiling was decorated with shimmering red cloth. The Throne room itself wasn't empty, Odin sat upon his throne, and in the hall itself several Asgardians were busy addressing him. Odin smiled upon seeing them, held his hand up to silence his advisors who kept droning on, and stood up from his throne startling several of his subjects. "Astrid! Hiccup!" He greeted as he walked towards them. Jerry gave a bow and then stood to the side as Odin welcomed the Midgardians. The gang didn't really know what to do but they gave Odin a bow as well. The Allfather chuckled and said "I hope your journey here has been interesting."

"If ya call almost getting turned into a kebab interesting." Gobber mumbled and winced as both Meixiu and Heather elbowed him from either side as the twins giggled.

Astrid let out a cough to stop anymore bickering from breaking out. She bowed before Odin again and presented him with Gungnir. The Asgardians gathered in the room gasped as Odin took his spear back. "Astrid you have no idea how grateful I am for you and your friends returning this to me." Odin stated and then said "Let it be known that these brave Midgardians shall be considered my honorary guests. As soon as we have rebuilt we shall hold a feast in their honor!"

"Jerry, will you give them the grand tour?" Odin asked turning slightly to the man that stood to the side. "And I hope to see you all at dinner tonight with my family." A new round of gasps rang through the room at Odin's invite. After Odin had returned to his throne to resume business Jerry indicated for them to follow him.

"AHA!!" Snotlout suddenly exclaimed as soon as they were out the room. "Your full name is Jacobus!" Jerry eyed him for a moment before saying "That wasn't even close." and then returning to the tour.