Slipping into a maroon dress made from the softest Asgard material, Shyael took up her lantern and went out into the starlight. It had been days since she was able to look in on her new warrior. No thanks to Jote's various chores and scouting the whereabouts of her sister.

Closing the fountain doors behind her and gazing at the glimmering waters, she almost had to stop herself from skipping to the edge of the pool. Resting on the cool stone she tapped into the water below.

She witnessed her Soldier being prepped for some sort of experiment. Watching carefully as white coats strapped him down to the center table something poked her playfully into the ribs.

"Boo!"

Shyael gasped as her sister flopped down next to her alongside the pool. Hoping she hasn't missed the next event of her sister's new hobby. Looking at her eyes, they held the same amusement as they didn't when she informed Tira of what she had done.

Now they were about to see where that choice took him. Once strapped in Shyael watched he was lifted into the machine and covered inside a metal cocoon. The foreign tests made her uneasy, what was it exactly they were going to do. Buttons were pressed and dials were turned and light emerged from the cocoon that held him. Everything seemed to move as to there plans until she heard the soldier scream, she watched in horror the scientist rush to his aid, some wanting to shut it down.

"No!" her soldier shouted from within the cocoon. "I can do this!"

"He's mad!" Shyael replied. Raising up her dress above her knees and throwing one leg over the ledge before it was caught by her sister.

"What are you doing?" Tira demanded

"I'm crossing over."

"You can't dream fast! You're as mad as he is!"

"He needs my help." Shyael yanked away from her sister and plunged into the fountain. Water rushed around up to her knees as she quickly made her way to the water wall centering the room. Taking a breath she focused on her cause and stepped through its portal. Tira held her breath and prayed as her sister vanished behind the water. Shyael opened her eyes and gasped. She was now standing in the room of his world, people ran by her in slow motion, their voices echoed around her.

Dream fasting was a special Valkyrie skill but very dangerous, it was a whole new form of manipulation. The most simple of task like turning was like moving through the thickest syrup with the air suffocating you. Turning towards the pod she made her way to the screaming soldier. She could feel his pain as her own, his bones breaking, his muscles evolving, his entire body being ripped apart from the inside. Yet he refused to quit, quite admirable and stupid of him.

Placing her hands on the metal of the cocoon she pushed her own strength inside, easing what pain she could manage and her energy became his own. There were no more screams from him as the light grew brighter, the machines surrounding the room combust and exploded.

When his pain grew, so did her power and when he grew weak, she made his strength. Mere seconds lasted a lifetime. When the engine's power weighed down and darkness overcame from the cocoon Shyael felt her power disconnect from him.

Backing away quickly she felt the water wash over her backside as she re-emerged from the wall. Tira jumped to her feet as her sister stumbled breathlessly back to the edge of the pool. Not even asking what happened the girls stared at the water below.

Their eyes widened when she finally saw him. The soldier had transformed completely, he was taller and physically stronger than ever before. She had to admit, she could feel her own cheeks brighten red by the mere sight of him. Before he had the heart of a warrior but now he looked like a warrior. Shyael sighed and relaxed as he too seemed to be in good shape, all was well until the explosion in the bench startled them all. The alchemist she triggered before was shot and the man behind the gun grabbed some blue vial and ran away. That's when Shyael felt it, another hand, another power at work. She tried to use her power to change the balance of events but she was still too weak to make much of an effect.

Her warrior ran after the man out of the building and into the streets. Dodging strange vessels and attacks coming from the opponent's strange weapon. The man almost succeeded when in his underwater escape until her warrior caught him and pulled him to the decks. Surely she would find an answer but he spat out his hail to his leader and committed suicide. Shyael brushed the water and the image vanished, she got to her feet and uneasily marched down the hall with her hands balled into fists.

"Shy, you look pale. Are you well enough to walk?" Tira spoke as she followed her, refusing to leave her sister's side.

"I'm fine." she pushed past her sister

Tira followed Shyael into the North Wing where Jotes quarters lay quietly, having no idea what fueled her older sister to her hated rivals hall. Shyael kept her face stern as she approached Jote who turned around the corner with another Valkyrie

"Good evening Shyael," Jote smirked, "And how goes your little soldier experiment?"

"What do you think?" Shyael shouted just before she landed a right hook across Jote, knocking the Justice Angel to the ground.

The two Valkyries found themselves once again in the presence of Odin, this time, Shyael was the one doing all the complaining. She stated that Jote crossed the line and meddled in her private realm experiment. Jote stood smiling, despite the bruise on her jaw, as Shyael explained her petty situation to Odin.

"I know I sensed another power in that realm." Shyael spoke urgently "She's doing it on purpose!"

"Is this true?" Odin asked Jote "Have you been manipulating the war for your own cause?"

she nodded "I may have participated a small amount."

"She's manipulating the events." Shyael explained, furious "She means to ruin me!"

"Nonsense!" Odin's voice echoed throughout the throne room, "I agreed to let you take on this little project as in ways to test your judgment of the battlefield. Therefore, I cannot deny another Valkyrie for the same request."

Jote stepped forward "I wish nothing more than to help Shyael with her work. I have just chosen my own soldier from the other side of the war."

"The other side?" Odin said, "An interesting turn of events indeed."

"So you will allow this?" Shyael growled.

"I am not one to deny a Valkyrie of war for doing what she does best. I will allow each of you to assist one being from this realm you have chosen. A vigorous competition should do the two of you good once in a while."

Shyael knew it would be far from friendly, Jote was a headstrong Valkyrie and one that didn't tend to fight fair. Still, she could not deny Odin's wishes, she would just have to keep a close watch on her soldier if she wanted him to last long enough to even see the battle. The rules were the same, the girls were to report to Odin of their progress with the "experiment" and may continue to involve themselves in this war as long as they attended to their own affairs first.

Odin dismissed the Valkyries. Jote happily pranced away while Shyael drifted behind. She was almost out of view of the Throne room when Odin called her back. Like a child discouraged from scorning, she turned a heel with her head down and went back to her king. In his presence, she raised her head high and stood tall, despite her short size, and greeted him in a soldiers manner. What more could he want to add to this little fuss. Tending to the soldier relaxed her in ways, now with Jote turning it into a game of cat and mouse it has added on to her already growing headache.

"At ease," Odin said with a smile when she returned "Come take a walk with me."

Shyael relaxed her shoulders and followed him down the hall of the great fortress. Her crystallized masked reflected the world around her, keeping her face safely hidden. For a long while, Odin said nothing. Shyael began to feel worried by his sighs and long silences. It didn't take her long to figure out that whatever was on his mind had nothing to do with her soldier experiment. Still, she said nothing to encourage another uproar.

Stopping in front of a large painting of the royal family, Odin smiled as his eyes landed on his son in vibrant red cloth. "Thor has grown in many ways, Although he has much to still learn. He will rule Asgard as king one day."

"Do you feel that he is lacking?" Shyael asked thinking he would have her lecture the Prince.

Odin chuckled as if she had told a joke, his single blue eye gleamed as he smiled at her. "It is obvious that he is arrogant and nowhere near ready to take on such responsibility in my place."

It was unlike the king to talk of such private affairs with a tool of war. Shyael's heart began to shrink in her chest as she thought of the most horrible of reasons. Was he dying? That had to be the only solution. He was dying and he needed someone to train his heir properly

"Why do speak of these things? your replacement?" Shyael gasped and took her kings hands thinking he was going to die. "My Lord, have you grown ill?"

Odin threw his head back and laughed. His laughter echoing loudly through the halls. "No dear child I'm as hearty as a horse and plan to be here for quite some time."

Feeling rather stupid now, Shy's cheeks flushed. "So you are just thinking of his future as King?"

"Yes." Odin smiled in agreement "And when that moment comes he shall have a bride. He has requested a Valkyrie."

"Such a curious request," Shyael smiled. She found it very unlike Thor to want a strong woman who could easily overrun him. In her eyes, his type was more a fair maiden in distress. She thought of the younger Valkyries that would giggle at the mere sound of his name "I do know many that would gladly have the crowned prince."

Odin's smiled faded and his expression became serious. Holding her hands tightly in his own he turned to her. "And you, my dear, would be doing me the great honor of ruling Asgard by his side as Queen."

Shyael's eyes widen. She couldn't believe it, her? Why her? She was no different from the other winged warriors. It was her destiny to be on the battlegrounds of Ragnarok not to be some Norse kings housewife. Especially that of Thor. Shyael made a short bow, honoring his words but something in her wanted to rebel. "My king, surely there is another much more qualified for such request."

"Nonsense, you are strong-willed, elegant and wise, " he spoke sternly, "Asgards people will rejoice to have such a ruler and the image you will have on maidens? Quite a stunning  inspiration I'm sure."

Shyael shook her head and lowered her gaze, hoping to not have offended him. "I just feel that I am not worthy of such title. I don't deserve this."

"You are one of my highest warriors, you are an expert in weapons and battle strategy as well as hands-on combat. And as you have shown with your new soldier, you have a unique kindness in your heart." Odin approached her and put his hand on her shoulder "Thor may not be ready yet, but with you by his side, he will have all he needs."

Shyael nodded in acceptance, knowing there was no way to win this verbal joust "As you wish my king."

Odin smiled, "You will make a magnificent queen, I faith in you, my dear."

"I shall forge a gift for my future husband. One that will make him equally as worthy."

It was a custom that Valkyrie present a gift to their mates, something made from deep within their power, something beating within their very souls. Hearing this Odin's smile beamed and he was pleased with his choice of Valkyrie. With her at his son side surely the 9 realms would be protected. Satisfied he dismissed her back into Valhalla and went to notify his wife Frigg of the news. Thor, however, would be kept in the dark until the moment was right.

After such glorifying news, Shyael moved slowly back to the Valhalla farplane, with all thoughts in-tacked.

Little did they know, the youngest brother Loki was listening in on their conversation. 

======================

Author's Note.

Woo! Plot Twist. I wonder how Shyael will handle the heavy task of future Queen? and what will the others think of this news? What do you guys think of Shyael's connection to Steve Rogers? and how she is becoming his secret guardian angel. 

P.S. I couldn't pass up the gif to show off some Chris Evans man candy <3