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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟑
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐒𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍

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𝐀𝐒𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐃
𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑

When the world around Primrose finally became clear, she found herself standing in a dark hallway with her allies. The Quill woman couldn't believe what she was seeing. Everything seemed like it would be from the Viking Age if it was on Earth. There wasn't even any electricity, only torches and fireplaces. It amazed the brunette woman and she wished she had more time to explore. But Primrose knew there was no time to look around. She needed to focus all of her attention on finding the Reality Stone.

No one said a word as they snuck through the dark halls. They passed by numerous white rooms that held various creatures with nothing but a shimmering yellow screen between them. It didn't take long for Primrose to figure out where they were, making her want to escape the Asgardian Dungeon sooner rather than later. It wasn't long after they passed a cell holding a man tossing a cup in the air that they reached the exit. None of them hesitated to climb the stone steps to get to one of the main hallways.

Primrose was in awe at the architecture of the hallway. Large archways traveled from one end to the other with images carved throughout. A small smile appeared on her lips as they walked down the hall toward their destination. However, due to Primrose being distracted, she failed to miss her allies hiding behind one of the pillars. That was until Freyr grabbed her arm and forced the Quill woman to join them.

"Eyes on the prize, Prim," Rocket told her, followed by an overdramatic eye roll.

"I know. I know. Sorry. This place is just amazing," Primrose responded while looking around at her surroundings. That only lasted for another moment before her attention returned to the situation at hand. "Okay. So what's the plan?"

"Tubby's girlfriend is just through that door," the raccoon said while gesturing to the large door at the end of the hall, "he's gonna charm her and I'm gonna poke her with this thing to extract the Reality Stone. You two lovebirds are gonna stand guard and warn us if anyone's coming. Then we get gone lickety-split."

Thor just stared at the closed doors for a long moment before letting out a sigh. "I'll be right back. The wine cellar is just down here. My father used to have this huge barrel of Aakonian ale. I'll see if the scullery has a couple of to-go cups."

Freyr simply rolled his eyes before grabbing the Asgardian's wrist and pulling him back to their group. "You're drunk enough already, Odinson."

Not even a second after that passed when another door slammed, causing the four of them to duck back behind the pillars. When they peeked around the pillars, they saw a group of women walking together in the opposite hallway. Primrose couldn't help but be amazed by their clothing, which made her feel like she traveled back in time. But those thoughts soon vanished after catching movement out of the corner of her eyes. She looked beside her to find both Thor and Freyr staring at them with sadness in their eyes. That was all it took for Primrose to grab the Njördson man's hand and give it a gentle squeeze, earning a small smile in return.

"Who's the fancy broad?" Rocket asked without taking his eyes off the woman leading the small group.

"That's my mother," Thor responded in a tone just above a whisper, drawing the two Guardians' attention toward him, "she dies today."

"Oh, that's today?" the raccoon said after exchanging a concerned look with Primrose.

It wasn't long after that when the Odinson man began breathing heavily, causing uncertain looks to appear on his allies' faces. "I can't do this. I can't do this. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't have come. It's a bad idea!"

"Come here," Rocket said in a tone that made Primrose and Freyr exchange a slightly concerned look.

"No, no, no. I think I'm having a panic attack. I shouldn't be here. This is bad," Thor ranted while taking a small step toward the raccoon.

"Come here. Right here," Rocket repeated, causing the Asgardian to take another step closer to the former. Not even a second after that passed when the raccoon slapped Thor across the face. Primrose and Freyr stared at him in shocked silence, both unsure of what to make of what just happened. It wasn't long after that when Rocket continued speaking.

"You think you're the only one who lost people? What do you think we're doing here? Prim and I lost the only family we ever had. Quill, Groot, Drax, the chick with the antenna...all gone. I get you miss your mom, but she's gone. Really gone. And there are plenty of people who are only kinda gone and you can help them. So, is it too much to ask that you brush the crumbs out of your beard, make schmoopy talk to Pretty Pants, and when she's not looking, suck out the Infinity Stone, and help me get my family back?"

"That was pretty good. I never knew a baby bear could double as a motivational speaker," Freyr whispered just loud enough for Primrose to hear, earning a small laugh in return.

"You and me both," the Quill woman responded after a smile appeared on her lips. It wasn't long after that when she realized that Thor was looking anywhere but at his allies. Primrose stared at him for a moment before figuring out what was happening. "Are you crying?"

"No," Thor quickly said before sighing and looking up at his team, "yes. I feel like I'm losing it."

"Thor, you need to pull yourself together. You can do this," the Njördson man told his friend after placing a hand on his shoulder, "I know you can do this."

After receiving a small nod from the Odinson man, they prepared for the next stage of their plan. Rocket jumped down from the railing before he, Primrose, and Freyr began walking toward Jane's room. The trio only made it a few more steps when they realized Thor wasn't with them. They instantly turned around to find the God of Thunder sprinting in the opposite direction. Despite calling out to the Asgardian, Thor continued on his path. Rocket let out an irritated groan while Freyr took Primrose's hand into his own.

"Keep going with the plan, Bear. Primrose and I will get Thor," the Njördson said, earning a confused look from Rocket, "if all three of us barge in there, they'll know we're up to something. You get the Stone, we'll get Thor."

The raccoon sighed before nodding in response, knowing this was the best way to solve their problem. That was all it took for Primrose and Freyr to race after the Odinson man while Rocket continued with their plan.

After walking through an impossible number of hallways in the Asgardian palace, Primrose and Freyr finally found Thor. To their surprise, he was sitting down on the foot of a statue talking to his mother. That was the first time in a very long time that the Quill woman saw Thor so calm and at peace. It was as if she was looking at a completely different person. She didn't feel it was her place to interrupt their moment, but they also had a job to do.

Primrose watched their exchange for another moment before looking up at Freyr. She was about to ask them what they should do next but quickly stopped herself. The look in the Njördson man's eyes was one she had never seen on his face before...but she knew it well. He was longing for her. The Quill woman soon remembered how he spoke of Frigga. She knew the Asgardian Queen was like a mother to him. So instead of breaking the silence surrounding them, Primrose did the only thing she could think of to comfort him. She took his hand into hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. That was all it took for the God of Peace to look over at her and send her a small and somewhat forced smile.

"Freyr?" The man in question's body tensed at the sound of his name before his and Primrose's attention toward the voice. Thor and Frigga were walking toward them, the latter wearing a bright smile on her face. Freyr didn't move an inch as the mother and son stopped in front of them. Frigga just studied them for a moment before speaking. "It's so good to see you. You have grown to look just like your father. Did you travel here with Thor?"

The Njördson man glanced over at the Odinson man, who sent him a small nod in response. Freyr then looked back at Frigga, the small smile returning to his face. "Yes, we came here with Thor. I'm sure he's told you...everything."

"Well, almost everything," the Asgardian Queen responded while an indescribable look appeared on her son's face. But her attention was focused on the woman who was still holding the God of Peace's hand. "He didn't mention you."

"I'm Primrose. It's nice to meet you," the Quill woman said before removing her hand from Freyr's to shake Frigga's. The Asgardian Queen took a moment to take in every inch of Primrose, who was trying not to squirm under her gaze.

"You're Jorvik's daughter," Frigga declared, earning a shocked look from the woman in front of her. A small smile soon appeared on the Queen's lips before she continued speaking. "You have his eyes. And by the looks of it, his spirit as well."

A matching smile soon appeared on Primrose's face. "Thank you. I appreciate that."

It wasn't long after that when everyone noticed a serious look on Thor's face. "Mom, I have to tell you something."

"No, son, you don't," Frigga responded in a calm tone, earning a confused look from the God of Thunder, "you're here to repair your future, not mine."

"This is about your future."

"It's none of my business."

Before their conversation could continue, a loud crash came from behind them. They all instantly turned toward the sound to find Rocket racing down the hallway. It wasn't long before he spotted his allies and stopped right in front of them.

"Hi. You must be Mom," the raccoon greeted, receiving a small wave from Frigga in response. After sending her a somewhat forced smile, Rocket held up the device in his hand. "I got the thing. Come on. We gotta move."

"Oh, I wish we had more time," Thor muttered under his breath after looking back at his mother with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

The smile on Frigga's face did nothing but grow as she took her son and Freyr's hands. "No, this was a gift. Now you go and be the men you're meant to be." After sharing a hug with both of them, the Asgardian Queen's attention landed on Primrose. "It was so nice meeting you. Jorvik would've loved you."

"Thank you," the Quill woman responded while Freyr wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"Come on, we gotta go," Rocket told them before tapping a few buttons on his Time-Space GPS, "three...two..."

"No, wait!" Thor exclaimed, making everyone stop in their tracks and look over at him.

The next thing anyone knew, he was holding his hand out toward the window. Confusion instantly flowed through Rocket and Primrose's bodies while smiles appeared on Frigga and Freyr's faces. They let another moment of silence pass between them before the raccoon broke it. "What am I looking at?"

"Oh, sometimes it takes a second," the Asgardian Queen explained in a tone that told them what her son was doing was completely normal.

It wasn't long after that when Primrose spotted an object in the distance. Whatever it was continued to get closer and closer to them, making her take an unconscious step away from Thor. The next thing anyone knew, Mjolnir flew through the window and landed in the God of Thunder's hand.

Laughter instantly erupted from the Odinson man as he looked between the people standing in front of him. The smile on his face did nothing but grow as he opened his mouth to speak. "I'm still worthy."

"Oh, boy," Rocket muttered under his breath before he and his allies pressed buttons on their Time-Space GPSes.

Thor and Freyr kept their eyes glued to the smiling Frigga as their Time Suits materialized on their bodies. It wasn't long after that when they found themselves returning to the Quantum Realm.

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