Jotunheim

[ngm_miscellaneous]

The portal from Vincent's magic opened on one of the middle levels of the Norse universe. Snow crunched under boots and bare feet as the Avengers assembled in the realm of giants. The sharp, craggy land was as welcoming as an ice pick between the shoulder blades. But out there in the cold and blowing landscape was a young girl waiting to be rescued.

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[avengingwarbird]

She'd forgone wearing her helmet this time, deciding instead to stick to a more stream-lined version of the armour she'd worn of late, complete with crackling, angry mace at her side.

There was no fear in Roxie's face as she stepped out of the portal, her eyes taking in everything around them, looking for the first signs of oncoming war.

Instead, all that she saw was snow and ice and mountains, all of which in any other circumstance would have seemed welcoming.

"I'm actually a little sad that there isn't a welcoming committee," Roxie stated.

[lil_hulk]

Jay looked around, slightly peeved there was nothing to immediately hit. He was breathing through his nose, so he had twin trails of visible water vapor as he moved forward. His large fists were clenching and unclenching.

"Maybe they're running late," he rumbled.

[comic_awareness]

Bruce lifted off the ground and into the air. "Roxie, with me. We're gonna do a little recon. The rest of you, be ready for anything."

[wateronthebrain]

Erin nods finding it feels colder here. She doesn't like it and is seriously looking forward to when they get out of here. This place looks pretty desolate and tapping into her ability to sense water she notes she'll have to get creative.

[the4thblackknight]

Marcus stepped out behind his teammates and surveyed the scene. The icy chill in the air made his chest ache even more when he breathed. Painkillers were holding it at bay, but he'd be pleased to get this over with and get back to warmer climes.

He felt naked without his horse, too. The snow crunched under his boots as he followed behind Jay. "You and your parades."

[vincent_amora]

Vincent is the last through the portal, closing it carefully behind him for later reopening. He still has the Casket, and is all too ready to use it on Loki or anyone else in their way.

"Marcus, Erin, do either of you need protection from the elements?" He gives the others the benefit of the doubt for constitution in this case.

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie had the distinct feeling that Marcus would turn Vincent's offer down, and worrying that he would do so with a sword being run through Vincent's torso, she quickly said, "I think we're all fine." She lifted herself off of the ground and hovered a few feet above them slowly turning around in place, getting a feel for where they were. "Vincent, do me a favour and do that thing you did to my seventh sense earlier. If we're going to find Audhild, my Kreepy senses are going to need a little boost."

Then she looked up at Bruce and nodded, following him. Recon seemed as good an idea as any.

[comic_awareness]

Bruce lifted higher into the air, scanning the terrain for any signs of, well, anything pretty much.

Funny though... his flight glow was a lot brighter than it normally was. He felt charged, way more charged than he should have been. It was taking less energy to keep in the air too.

[ngm_villains]

They will get a hint of something. About a mile and a half away from their current location there is an ice cave. It looks like someone might be in there right now.

[lil_hulk]

"Ready for anything, huh?" Jay thoughtfully grabbed his chin for a moment. Then he tried to scoop up Marcus and Erin. One in each arm. He could bound away with them faster than they could move through ice and snow.

"C'mere."

[wateronthebrain]

"H-Hey!" Erin is a bit surprised.

"I can walk," she protests but just gives a slight sigh. Mentally she is still feeling pretty fatigued so she isn't really going to fight to walk under her own power. She knows they need to get a move on.

[the4thblackknight]

Roxie was right on the money with her assessment. Fortunately for everyone, Marcus was entirely too distracted by being lifted off his feet to worry about drawing on Vincent. He squawked and looked over at his green friend.

"This is very undignified..."

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie looked back and offered Marcus a friendly smile. It faded when she looked out into the distance and thought she saw something in a cave not too far away. She glided over to Bruce and silently tapped him on the shoulder, nudging her chin in the direction of the cave.

[vincent_amora]

It takes considerable effort, but Vincent refrains from taking off ahead of the others. He follows closely behind Bruce, waiting for directions, and clutching the Casket tightly.

[comic_awareness]

Bruce nodded firmly, and directed his path in that direction, swooping low so as to be heard by the others. "Okay, we've got a cave coming up, and we're pretty sure that's where we're going.

Roxie and I are going to take point. We can get there first, and see deal with the first level of anything guarding it. You guys get there as quick as you can, and we'll punch through."

[ngm_villains]

So far Loki has not appeared to have detected them. Only something is waiting to stop Bruce and Roxie from getting deeper into the cave where Loki is. It is hard to tell though because the wind starts to howl as a storm picks up.

[lil_hulk]

"Oh, shush. I'm warm and snuggly, and you know it," Jay corrected Marcus with a sniff. "Also, I can cover more land than both of you combined."

He proved it by doing a gentle (for him) hop toward the cave Roxstar and Brucie Boy went into. He landed about halfway before preparing for another Hulky Hop.

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie flew alongside Bruce, keeping her eyes on the cave ahead. She squints her eyes a little as wind whips up snow and ice all around them. Though mostly invulnerable, she's suddenly glad not to be wearing her older, skimpier, backless costume.

"Think the wind's a sign?" she asked.

[wateronthebrain]

"Jay!"

Erin scrambled to hold on to him just a little tighter.

"Is jumping really needed?" She really didn't like being taken around like that. She also doesn't like being carried around but there's nothing she can do about it.

[vincent_amora]

Vincent's grip on the casket tightens, his face twisting in frustration. The cave is right there. His sister needs him.

But he can't do it alone.

He flies in close to Jay. "Grab my legs, then push off with another jump. I can use my flight spell to steer you through if you put enough force into it!"

[the4thblackknight]

"I've had quite enough of your flight spells for a lifetime, thank you. If there's to be more magic, Jay, kindly put me down first." He'd walk naked across Siberia before he'd trust Vincent's judgement again.

[comic_awareness]

"Definitely," Bruce agreed. "Be ready for anything."

[ngm_villains]

By now Vincent should notice something about the Cask. It hasn't been changed but apparently someone placed a kind of luck entropy hex. Loki didn't do it.

Vincent would have had time to get a sense of Loki's flavor of magic when he ad tried to track Audhild down. It looks like Amora is trying to help screw Loki and the Frost Giants over.

Now though there is a snarl from the peak just above the cave. A large dragon carved from ice and snow is about to attack. Apparently it is the security system Loki has in place.

[lil_hulk]

"If you think I'm going to set down these two to grab your legs, you're nuts, Amorason." Jay did not make a move to set down the Avengers he was carrying.

"And yes, jumping is-" He was interrupted by a snarling dragon. "-being redirected. Poopsticks. There's a dragon, and I'm armed with a knight. Where do you want to go, Erin?"

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie paused mid-flight, looking up at the dragon. She stared at it for a long moment before her lips curved into a generous, cold smile.

"Hello ugly," she said, raising her mace above her head. "Good-bye, ugly." And then she went to attack it.