Blue energy rippled and deposited Jay and Domino at the ancient stone steps leading to Kamar-Taj.

  Domino stumbled slightly, catching herself against the stone railing. She exhaled slowly, her breath misting in the cold air.

  "Are you tired, honey? Should we take a rest?" Jay asked.

  Domino sighed, running a hand through her white hair. "Nah, it's not that. Your friends were just... a lot. Especially Maria and Linda. So much hugging and crying and 'oh thank god you're okay.'" She grimaced. "And seeing Bobby? After we broke up right in front of him? I kept waiting for everyone to tell me I'm a terrible person."

  The visit to check on everyone had been emotionally exhausting. Bobby had been professional, polite even, but the hurt in his eyes had been impossible to miss. The others had been carefully neutral. Too carefully.

  Jay pulled her close, straightening her hair with gentle fingers. "Aww, they don't hate you, babe. They love me, and I love you, so by the transitive property, they love you too." He kissed her cheek softly.

  Domino rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "It's not that simple, genius."

  "Love is really that simple," Jay countered.

  "You think?"

  "Ahem. Ahem."

  They turned awkwardly to see the Ancient One standing at the entrance, serene in her yellow robes. Behind her, Wong stood with his phone out, clearly taking pictures.

  Jay instantly released Domino, causing her to stumble. He stepped forward, giving a formal bow.

  "Master! You didn't have to come all the way out to get me!"

  The Ancient One's expression remained neutral, but her eyes held a glimmer of amusement. "Enough with your antics, Jay. We have business to attend to."

  Wong lowered his phone, still grinning. "These are going in the group chat."

  "Don't you dare," Jay muttered.

  "Already sent. Hamir's going to love this."

  Domino straightened her jacket, trying to recover some dignity. "Nice to see you again, Ancient One."

  "Miss Thurman. Your presence is welcome."

  The Ancient One turned, her robes sweeping across the ancient stones. Wong gestured for them to follow.

  They walked through the familiar corridors. Sorcerers in training paused their practice to watch Jay pass, whispers following in his wake. The guy who'd caged a god. The one who'd brought back the dead.

  The main hall was already occupied. Kaecilius stood near the windows with his arms crossed, Hamir sat with several ancient texts open before him, and Mordo paced near the far wall.

  Jay and Domino took their seats on cushions arranged in a circle. The Ancient One settled gracefully across from them, Wong taking position at her right hand.

  The Ancient One's gaze settled on Jay. "Jay, I remember sharing a lesson with you regarding the blind pursuit of power and its consequences."

  Jay smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I remember it well, teacher. It's just the opportunity was there, plus Franklin would now have a better chance to live a carefree childhood. Well, as carefree as it can be for the Fantastic Four!"

  "Carefree?" Mordo's voice cut sharply. "You wielded reality-warping power that nearly destroyed you from the inside out. You resurrected twelve hundred people, violating the natural order of death itself. You imprisoned a prince of Asgard and threatened the Allfather on a cosmic broadcast watched by every major galactic empire!"

  "The boy saved twelve hundred lives," surprisingly Kaecilius interjected. "That counts for something, surely."

  "It counts for everything," Domino said, her hand moving toward her gun. "Or have we forgotten that part?"

  "No one forgets the lives saved." The Ancient One raised a hand. "But actions have consequences, Jay. I needed you to understand that before we proceed with what comes next."

  Jay nodded slowly. "I understand, Master."

  "Good." The Ancient One's expression softened fractionally. "What's done is done. Debating the ethics of past actions serves no purpose. We have another matter to discuss." She gestured, and three playing cards appeared on the table between them. Two pulsed with contained cosmic energy while the third showed a one-eyed god still silently screaming.

  Jay recognized them immediately. The Mind Stone, the Space Stone, and Loki's prison.

  "Thor Odinson has been waiting here for days, ready to discuss your terms for his brother's release."

  Jay straightened despite his exhaustion. Domino caught the shift immediately. The way his shoulders squared, breathing steadied, and eyes sharpened.

  "Let's meet the Thunderer then."

  The Ancient One nodded to Wong, who opened the door.

  Thor entered, and the room's atmosphere changed. Even in human attire, jeans and a dark jacket over a plain shirt, he radiated presence.

  "Ancient One, sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, Warrior Jay, and lady Domino." Thor's voice carried the weight of centuries. "It is good to see you all again, though I wish the circumstances were more pleasant."

  Jay smiled warmly, seeing that Thor was desperate and Desperate meant negotiable. And ultimately, negotiable meant opportunity. "Likewise, Thor. Please, sit. Let's discuss this like civilized beings."

  Thor settled onto the cushion, but his eyes kept drifting to Loki's card. His fingers twitched toward where Mjolnir would normally hang at his belt.

  The thunder god's words came out rushed and almost rehearsed. "I come on behalf of the Allfather. I need to retrieve my brother and return him to Asgard, where he will face justice as decreed by Odin himself."

  "Ha!" Domino's laugh was sharp. "You really think he's going to get off scot-free? After the massacre he caused? That would've been permanent if it weren't for Jay bringing everyone back."

  Jay placed a calming hand on her arm. "Easy babe, please"

  He turned back to Thor. "Now, Thor, let's be reasonable here. I understand family loyalty. I respect it, truly. But we need to discuss the appropriate compensation for Loki's... let's call it early release."

  Thor's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Name your terms."

  "Ah, but that's not how this works, my friend." Jay leaned back, spreading his hands. "You came to me. You want something from me. So, the question is, what are you offering?"

  "The Allfather has given me authority to retrieve Loki. No matter the price." Thor's hand unconsciously moved toward the card. "Within reason."

  "Within reason," Jay repeated slowly. "Tell me, Thor, what does the mighty Asgard consider 'reasonable' compensation for attempted genocide, mass murder, generational trauma and global-level property damage?"

  Wong leaned toward Hamir, whispering. "Here we go. I've seen this look before. Thor's about to get fleeced."

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  "Should we warn him?" Hamir whispered back.

  "And miss the show? Absolutely not."

  "The Allfather suggests a royal favor. One boon, to be called upon when needed. Asgard's aid in a time of crisis, warriors at your command, Odin's wisdom at your disposal. A pick of the treasury even!"

  Jay's eyebrows rose. "A favor? One favor?" He laughed. "Thor, my friend, let me explain something about Earth economics. When someone commits crimes of this magnitude, the compensation isn't a favor. It's reparations. Substantial reparations."

  He started counting on his fingers. "War crimes. Attempted planetary conquest. Murder of protected citizens under Asgard's own treaties. Alliance with the Mad Titan. Theft and misuse of an Infinity Stone. Destruction of public property. Psychological trauma to millions of civilians." Jay paused. "Children who still wake screaming. Parents who watched their families die. Entire city blocks reduced to rubble. First responders with PTSD" Another pause. "And you're offering me one favor and a trip to your gift shop?"

  Thor's face tightened, pain flashing across his features. His voice came out strained. "Asgard's vaults hold treasures beyond mortal comprehension. Weapons forged in the heart of dying stars. Artifacts that predate your entire civilization."

  "Beyond mortal comprehension." Jay nodded slowly. "I like that phrase. Let's use exactly that. I'll take something beyond mortal comprehension from Asgard."

  Kaecilius leaned back slightly, his eyes gleaming. Mordo remained still, but his expression shifted from disapproval to grudging respect.

  "But," Jay continued, holding up one finger, "that's just for the material damages. We haven't discussed the matter of justice yet."

  "Justice?" Thor's voice carried a note of wariness.

  "Loki serves his sentence on Earth. Under supervision, powerless, working to repair the damage he caused. However long it takes for him to make proper restitution to the victims' families and reconstruction efforts. After that, he goes to Asgard for whatever punishment Odin deems appropriate. But Earth gets justice first."

  "Absolutely not." Thor's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "My mother weeps for him every night, despite everything he's done. She barely sleeps, barely eats. My father's honor demands Loki face Asgardian justice in Asgard. I cannot agree to..."

  "Can't?" Jay's smile turned sympathetic. "Thor, I'm not trying to be difficult here. But think about it from my perspective. From Earth's perspective." He leaned forward. "Your brother came to our home, our planet. He killed our people, terrorized our children and tried to enslave our entire civilization. And now you're asking us to just... hand him over? Let Asgard handle it internally, like this was some family squabble?"

  "He is my brother." Thor's voice became raw, almost broken, as his hands trembled slightly. "For all his crimes and for all his madness, he is still my brother. My mother has already lost so much. I cannot, will not, tell her that I left him in a Midgardian prison. By right of blood. By right of kingship..."

  "By right of might," Jay finished. "Which is precisely the attitude that got Loki imprisoned in a playing card. Thor, I'm trying to be reasonable here. He serves his sentence here. Then he's yours. Asgard gets him back, just slightly delayed. Is that really too much to ask for attempted genocide?"

  The room went very quiet.

  Thor's hand clenched. His jaw worked as he processed the logic.

  "Look," Jay said, his voice reasonable, almost friendly. "I'm not asking for Loki's head. I'm not demanding he rot in a cell forever. I'm asking for him to serve his sentence where he committed his crimes. To face the people, he hurt. To make amends in a real, tangible way. Is that really too much to ask? Would Asgard ask for less if the situations were reversed? If a Midgardian attacked your golden realm?"

  That last question was the killing blow. Jay knew it. Everyone in the room knew it.

  Domino watched the exchange with fascination. This was a side of Jay she rarely saw. The way he'd backed Thor into a corner without the god even realizing it until too late.

  Thor stood silent for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was carefully controlled. "How long would this sentence be?"

  "Oh, very reasonable. Let's say..." Jay pretended to calculate. "Until the last building is rebuilt and the last victim's family receives compensation. Could be a few months? Could be longer? Depends on how efficiently Earth's bureaucracy works." He smiled innocently. "You know how these things go."

  Wong was right. This was highway robbery dressed up as diplomatic negotiation.

  "And if I agree to these terms," Thor said slowly, "Loki will be treated fairly during his sentence?"

  "He'll be treated as fairly as he treated the people of New York," Jay said, his voice going cold.

  The thunder god was silent for nearly a minute. Everyone waited, barely breathing.

  Finally, Thor extended his hand. "In the name of Odin Allfather, King of Asgard, Lord of the Nine Realms, I agree to your terms. You'll have your pick of any one of Asgard's treasures, something beyond mortal comprehension as you judge it. Loki serves his sentence on Earth first, until proper restitution is made. Then and only then he returns to Asgard for final judgment."

  Jay stood, taking Thor's hand. The grip was firm, carrying the weight of a divine oath. Thunder rumbled distantly despite the clear sky.

  "Pleasure doing business with you, Thor. Truly." Jay's tone remained respectful. "You won't regret this."

  Wong exhaled slowly, shaking his head in wonder.

  Kaecilius smiled slightly. "Masterfully executed."

  Mordo grunted. "Perhaps there's more to the boy than raw power after all."

  Domino felt her pulse quicken watching Jay work. Strategic brilliance with a human touch. She found herself leaning forward slightly, unconsciously drawn to this side of him.

  The Ancient One picked up the three cards, but before she could hand them over, Jay stopped her whispering.

  "Wait. I'll only need the Space Stone's card." He gestured to the other. "You know what needs to be done with those, Master. I'll wait for the happy news."

  The Ancient One's expression showed surprise for just a moment. There was definite approval in her eyes.

  Jay pocketed the cards containing the Space Stone and Loki's prison. Only leaving the Mind Stone with the Ancient One. "The Mind Stone stays here for safekeeping."

  "Now then, shall we get going? I assume the Bifrost is being repaired?"

  Thor grimaced. "The damage will take years to fully restore. Heimdall works tirelessly, but even with Asgardian craft and power, the Rainbow Bridge does not mend quickly. My brother's sabotage was... thorough."

  "I can open a gateway to Asgard," the Ancient One offered. "However, such a portal requires significant preparation. The barriers between Midgard and Asgard are not easily breached without the Bifrost." She paused. "There is another way. An ancient threshold that previous Sorcerers Supreme used to travel to the Nine Realms during the warring periods. Few know of its existence. It will be more stable than using the Space Stone directly, less likely to attract unwanted attention from those who sense such energies."

  "The old paths." Thor nodded with recognition. "I've heard tales of these from the histories. Agamotto walked them once, in the age of the first wars."

  "Indeed. The threshold here connects directly to Asgard's palace, bypassing the Bifrost entirely." The Ancient One gestured for them to follow. "It has not been used in centuries, but it will serve our purpose. Though it could only carry two, and I should warn you, the journey is not as... comfortable as the Bifrost. The old ways were forged in more brutal times."

  Wong fell into step behind them. "Define 'not comfortable.'"

  "You'll see."

  The group moved through Kamar-Taj's corridors toward a section Jay had never visited. The walls here were older, the stone more weathered, covered in runes that hurt to look at directly.

  They stopped before a massive door. Not wood or metal, but something that looked like crystallized starlight. Symbols covered every inch of its surface, constantly shifting, rearranging themselves.

  "This threshold was created during the first war between realms," the Ancient One explained. "When Agamotto walked between worlds as mediator and protector. It connects directly to Asgard's palace, bypassing the Bifrost entirely."

  She placed her hand on the door, and the symbols blazed to life. The door swung open silently, revealing not a room but a tunnel of golden light stretching into infinity.

  Jay felt the pull immediately.

  Domino stepped closer, her hand finding his. "Be careful up there."

  "I'll be back before you know it." Jay looked at her, smiling. "Besides, Thor here is my guarantor. If anything happens to me, the deal's off and Loki stays a playing card forever. Right, Thor?"

  Thor's expression shifted, realization dawning that Jay had just verbally added another clause to their contract. The god opened his mouth, closed it, then nodded slowly. "Right. Of course. Your safety is paramount."

  "Clever," Wong murmured.

  "Return safely. And Jay?" The Ancient One's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Try not to insult anyone too important. Asgard's court is less forgiving than I am."

  Wong grinned. "I give it ten minutes before he offends someone."

  Kaecilius shook his head. "Five minutes."

  "I have faith in our student," the Ancient One said serenely. "He'll last at least seven minutes."

  Even Mordo cracked a smile at that.

  Jay squeezed Domino's hand once more, then released it reluctantly.

  He and Thor stepped toward the threshold.

  The golden light intensified, wrapping around them.

  The journey through the threshold was instantaneous and eternal. He caught glimpses of other realms flickering past. Vanaheim's endless forests. Alfheim's eternal twilight. Nidavellir's dying star pulsing.

  Then, with a sensation like breaking through water's surface, they emerged.

  Asgard.

  The realm eternal stretched before them. The palace scraped the cosmos itself, golden spires reaching toward stars. Architecture that defied physics soared overhead, rainbow bridges of light connecting towers.

  Jay whistled low. "Okay, I'll admit it. This is impressive."

  The wealth here was incomprehensible. Every surface gleamed, precious metals and gems worked into structures. And he'd just negotiated his pick of the treasury.

  Worth every second.

  Thor smiled, pride evident despite his earlier turmoil. "Welcome to Asgard, Friend Jay."

  Guards in golden armor approached, spears raised, then recognized Thor and immediately snapped to attention.

  "Prince Thor returns! And he brings... guests."

  The lead guard's eyes lingered on Jay, recognition flickering across his face. This was the mortal who'd insulted their king, imprisoned their prince. His grip on his spear tightened.

  "He is under my protection," Thor announced. "And here as representative of Midgard, negotiating terms with the Allfather himself. He will be afforded all respect due to diplomatic envoys."

  Jay caught the guard's expression. Frustration mixed with barely contained hostility. He offered a pleasant smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll get along famously. I'm very good at making friends." He paused deliberately. "Well, making deals. Close enough."

  Thor shot him a warning look.

  "What? I'm being diplomatic!"

  The guard's jaw tightened, but he bowed stiffly. "As you command, Prince Thor."

  This was going to be interesting.