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Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that feature in this story. They belong to their respective authors.

Warnings: slash, explicit content, violence, war, blood, drama, angst, Mpreg, multi-crossover

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed the first book of the Starborn Arc! You guys are awesome and this chapter is dedicated to you. I hope you'll enjoy 'The Rise Of Starborn'!

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Haruven looked around one last time as they stood at the doorway of the Bifröst. Thor was saying goodbye to his parents, while the Warrior Three stood beside Haruven, ready for takeoff.

"You do not look well,." Hogun said, and Haruven hummed, lips tilting up into a small smile. '

"We've spent 3 days here, and even though we were discussing war and strategies, I don't remember ever being at so much peace. Even when I was working at Starborn Café, I constantly worried about my guests and family back in England. To be perfectly honest, I didn't know I yearned for rest this much," Haruven spoke and looked at Hogun with an unreadable gaze, one that spoke of so many things, no one would be able to name them all.

"Once this is over, I shall take you somewhere where you will be able to rest like you deserve," Thor spoke as he walked over, rewarded with a beautiful smile from his more than beautiful lover.

Haruven smiled when Frigga walked over to him, hugged him, and kissed his forehead in a quiet blessing. "We shall meet again soon, my dear. I shall pray for your victory and safe return to Asgard."

Haruven returned her hug warmly, kissed her cheek, and smiled at her when he took a few steps back. "We shall meet again, Mother," he spoke and Frigga's eyes widened while Haruven turned to Odin. "Stay well, Father." Odin grunted lowly, looking at Haruven from under thick eyebrows with lips tilted up into the smallest of smiles. "We'll stay in contact," Haruven said just as Heimdall opened the bridge. The Warrior Three bowed at the King and Queen, and a moment later all 5 of them were gone.

"My Queen?"

"He called me Mother," she whispered and Odin placed his hands on Frigga's shoulders. She turned to look at him with a wide smile on her beautiful face. "It has only been three days, and yet he called me Mother."

"His heart is truly as big as Lady Verdandi told us," Odin said. "I dare not hope too much, but I cannot help but think that maybe he and Thor could bring our wayward son back to us." Frigga's smile fell and she placed her hands on her husband's chest, lips parting as she stared in his sorrow-filled eyes. "I have failed him. Instead of trying to save him, I kept him in the dungeons," Odin spoke in a pained voice. "Haruven knows more understanding and compassion than I have ever known or shown."

Frigga smiled lovingly at Odin, and cupped his bearded face in her small, warm hands. "You are a great King, my love. Yes, you have made mistakes, but everyone makes them."

Odin smiled at her, and bowed down to kiss her. "From the first day I laid eyes on you, I knew you would be my strength and support."

Frigga giggled, and shook her head. "And I knew that I had fallen in love with not only a great King, but a great man as well, for it takes a great man to admit his mistakes, and an even greater man to try and correct them."

Odin sighed. "Come," he said, "we have much to do, and I fear we have little time to do it."

"Yes," Frigga nodded in agreement, and together they made their way back to the Palace of Asgard. "A war is upon us. We must prepare."

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"Someone is opening the Bifröst!" Natasha shouted, and quickly stood from her chair in front of a computer.

"Can we know who it is?" Pepper asked as Natasha ran beside her and Sif.

"I can only tell that there are 5 of them and that they are going to land on top of the Avengers Tower!" Natasha called out to the two, already pressing a button to summon the elevator and the small button on her collar. "Gather up! We have visitors coming!"

"We hear you." Steve reported. He, Tony, Bruce and Clint were in the living room with three men that came here looking for Haruven a few days back.

"Meet us at the top," Natasha said, just as she, Sif and Pepper entered the elevator and Natasha pressed the button that would take them to the top floor.

"Could it be Thor?" Pepper asked, and looked at Sif.

"I hope it is him. We are not yet ready to face an enemy invasion." Sif said. The elevator door opened, and they got out. A second later Tony, Steve, Clint and Bruce walked out of the second elevator and the two groups met up on a patio, most of the looking up at the sky at the swirling clouds.

"Where are the three?!" Natasha called out over the raging wind.

"We've left them in the living room!" Bruce answered, receiving a nod from Natasha.

Pepper had rushed over to Tony, seeking protection in his arms from the raging winds, while Clint walked over to stand beside Natasha, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Sif was the only one who stepped forward, looking at the sky with an excited grin, and although the others were insecure and worried, they couldn't help but admire the utter complexity of what was happening above them.

"No matter how many times I've seen this, the sight doesn't cease to amaze me!" Bruce called out and glanced at Steve when Captain America snorted.

"Here they come!" Steve said and everyone strengthened their stance, ready for impact.

A white beam of light hit the helicopter landing mark, and a strong gust of wind hit the gathered group. Once it all calmed, they opened their eyes.

"Fandral! Volstagg! Hogun! You are all well!" Sif cried out, and broke into a run, while the others gaped at Haruven.

If they thought he was beautiful before, now they couldn't find the words to describe him. They could only say that white and gold did in fact suit him.

"Haruven?" Bruce gaped at the wizard who gifted him with a bright smile, and while Thor and the Warrior Three greeted Sif, Haruven approached the Avengers moving as though he was gliding.

"Bruce," Haruven spoke warmly and wrapped his arms around the Gamma-scientist in a tender embrace. "It's good to see you again," he murmured in Bruce's ear, feeling strong arms wrap around his waist as Bruce hugged him tightly.

"You look amazing, Ven," Bruce whispered and they parted, and Bruce couldn't help but notice that Haruven appeared so much different than he was before. There was calmness in those eyes bigger than the one he carried when they had first met, and even though before no one could say that Haruven was anything but absolutely calm and collected, the relaxed arcs of Ven's shoulders spoke so much more than words ever could. "It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back," Haruven answered just as Thor walked over to them with a wide grin.

"It is good to see you again, my friends!" he greeted cheerfully glancing over one broad shoulder at Sif and the Warriors Three who stood in a line behind their leader.

"You both look good," Steve said taking in Haruven's apparently reborn grace and poise before nodding at Thor in silent approval. "I suppose things at Asgard are better than we hoped."

Haruven smiled and nodded, not failing to catch the silent exchange between Steve and Thor. "Yes, they are. We've even brought reinforcements with us."

Thor chuckled and turned around, raising a hand towards his most loyal comrades. "My friends, I would like for you to meet my brothers in arms; Hogun, Volstagg and Fandral." The three bowed their heads respectfully, and the Avengers returned the favor.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you," Fandral said with a big grin, before he smiled charmingly at Pepper and Natasha. "Especially such beauty." Natasha rolled her eyes, Pepper giggled and Tony cleared his throat in warning.

"You should stop while you are ahead, Fandral," Haruven warned, amusement clear in his throat, and Fandral looked at the mage with a raised eyebrow. "Pepper is taken, and I am afraid Natasha is not one for petty compliments." Fandral sighed and rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Unfair, I say! Such unfairness!" Fandral cried out theatrically making Haruven and Thor shake their heads with amused smiles, while Volstagg laughed, and Sif and Hogun rolled their eyes.

"As amusing as this, I think we have more important things to discuss," Clint said.

"Haruven, there are three men in the living room," Bruce addressed the mage who frowned at him curiously. "They came here yesterday, looking for you."

Everyone shivered when a wave of magic passed over them and Haruven's gaze dulled for a mere second before his eyes glimmered and he looked at Thor, thin eyebrows narrowed questioningly. "How did they know where to look for me?" he asked, and everyone received a startling surprise when Thor actually appeared to have some knowledge of who was waiting for Haruven.

"They are the three Hunters I met at the Café, are they not?" Thor asked and Haruven nodded.

"I'll go and talk to them," Ven said, receiving a nod from Thor. "They have many friends and they may be able to help us in battle."

"I shall inform our friends of what has transpired," Thor answered. "You go and talk with them. We must act quickly."

"Go to the conference room," Haruven glanced at the others before moving over to Thor to lay a chaste kiss on the god's lips. "I'll meet them in the living room, and we'll join you once we're done."

"Go." Thor said, and Haruven disappeared in a blink of an eye.

"Handy!" Tony said, and looked at Thor. "We'll have to get used to that."

Thor laughed at Iron Man, clapping his back, and Tony choked up, realizing quite suddenly that he hadn't missed this side of Thor. The God of Thunder rarely remembered to watch his strength when he was in a good mood.

"There is much you shall have to get used to, Man of Iron," Thor spoke. "Now come. I have many things to tell you."

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"Dean! Sam! Castiel!" the three men got on their feet and gasped when their friend appeared in front of them.

"Ven?" Sam asked when he took a closer look. "Wow! You're different." Haruven laughed as he ran over, and hugged the three of them quickly.

"It suits you," Dean said with a confused look. "What the hell happened?"

"We went to see you in the Café, but it was ruined," Castiel spoke as they took seats.

"A lot of things happened," Haruven said, and took a deep breath. "And it all started on the day we've last seen each other."

"That man, Thor…"

"If he did anything…"

"Dean, Sam, calm down," Haruven rushed to placate the two hotheaded brothers. "I'm alright." All three looked at him doubtfully, and Haruven laughed quietly, shaking his head in exasperated fondness. "As a matter of fact, I am better than I ever was, even though the situation is dire."

"Your magic…" Dean and Sam looked at Castiel with matching expressions of confusion. "It's no longer as wild and uncontained as it was."

Haruven nodded. "Yes," he confirmed, and a small smile tilted Castiel's lips. "I found my Destined, and our union made it possible for me to control my magic, since I now share my powers with him."

"I can see the Bond," Castiel said. "It's very strong already."

"Yes, it is, but that is not important right now," Haruven looked at the with a serious gaze and the three unconsciously leaned forward, granting Haruven their full, undivided attention.

"What happened?" Dean asked, exchanging a glance with his brother and his lover.

"What I would like to know first, is how you knew where to look for me?" Haruven asked, looking at each one of them respectively.

"We came to the Café yesterday, and found it in ruins," Sam was the one who answered, lips turning up in a small smirk, "and then we had an… interesting encounter."

"With whom?" Haruven asked, with eyebrows raised in interest.

"A naked woman; Skuld or something." Dean sneered a bit, and Haruven's eyebrows almost touched the line of his hair.

"Skuld?" Haruven raised an eyebrow. "I thought she disliked me," he muttered, and the three raised eyebrows at him.

"I think I'll neglect for a moment why an actual Norn would dislike you, in favor of asking how you actually know her," Sam drawled, and Haruven chuckled.

"It is a long story, Sam. A story fit for another time."

"Then maybe you should tell us what happened," Dean said, although he really, really wanted to know the story behind Haruven knowing the Norns.

"I was taken by Loki; the actual Loki."

"What?!" Sam and Dean were on their feet in a second, and Haruven hurried to placate them, hands raised calmingly as a smile titled his lips.

"Everything is alright as you can very well see!" he soothed, eyes glimmering with mischief when Sam and Dean took seats again, clearing their throats uncomfortably.

"What did he want with you?" Castiel asked, a picture of calmness, although his stormy blue eyes promised redemption.

"Well," Haruven sighed and rubbed his forehead with his right hand, "it all started a long time ago, with two brothers in Asgard…"

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"That is not good," Castiel said. Dean and Sam exchanged a glance, while Haruven nodded.

"We must prepare," Ven spoke gravely. "Loki and the Chitauri could attack at any time. We're not ready to fight them."

"If I've gotten everything right, then this could be an epic battle," Sam murmured.

"Fricking Independence Day," Dean drawled, and Haruven laughed quietly, understanding the reference and making Dean smirk at him.

"Yes, except all of us must get involved," Haruven said, winking at Dean lightly. "King Odin is not in a position to send his army to Earth without risking Asgard. I'm afraid that we're on our own."

"The Angels will not get involved," Castiel said, bowing his head in shame. "Ever since the end of the Civil War, and since Father returned to Heaven, they were forbidden from coming to Earth."

"Do you honestly believe they wouldn't help us?" Haruven asked and Castiel frowned.

"I can speak with them," he hesitated. "I may no longer be an Angel, but my brothers and sisters still communicate with me. I only hope they will be able to soften our Father's heart."

"You did so once, Castiel," Haruven spoke warmly, referring to Castiel's decision to remain by Dean's side, and how the former Angel begged and pleaded with his Creator not to punish him with more than taking Castiel's Grace. There was still a place for Castiel in Heaven, and only the former Angel's belief and utter loyalty to his Creator made that possible. "I have no doubt that you can convince him to help us, any way possible." Castiel blushed slightly under Haruven's encouraging look.

"It's good to have you back, Ven," Sam said. "When we found the Café in the sorry state it's in we were worried. We thought something happened and that we weren't there to help you."

"You don't need to worry about me," Haruven assured them, "but I can't help but wonder why you've come looking for me. I thought you were on a Hunt."

"We were," Dean smirked. "That job you gave us was pretty difficult, but we found it."

Haruven's eyes widened and he sat straighter in his seat. "You've found the Mirror?"

"Yes, we have," Castiel said, and bowed down to take a wooden chest off of the floor. Haruven stood up and walked over to him, and Castiel followed his example. Haruven's hands hovered above the box, and all three could see that they were shaking a bit.

"I can't believe you've actually managed to bring it here," Haruven murmured, voice suddenly deeper with amazement, and traced the veins and markings on the wooden chest with a tender touch.

"It took some serious convincing, and a few broken arms and noses…"

"Hopefully not yours," Haruven raised an eyebrow at Dean, looking at the hunter from under messy bangs, and Dean and Sam chuckled while Castiel smirked lightly.

"I am not an Angel anymore, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeves," Castiel said, standing straighter.

"You should have seen him," Dean grinned. "He went all Obi-Wan Kenobi on them." He waved his hand in that infamous 'these are not the droids you're looking for' motion.

Haruven chuckled and slowly placed his hands on the chest. "I can't believe this. It is actually here." His eyes were glowing bright emerald and his voice was deep in his wonder. Ever so slowly he opened the chest, and the three felt a shiver of power pass over them.

"Haruven? I felt your…" the elevator opened, and Thor stepped in, only to halt in his step when he saw Haruven take out a jade rimmed, small, round mirror out of the chest.

"Come, Thor." Haruven turned to face Thor. "You need to see this."

"What is it?" Thor asked as he approached Haruven.

"This is Yata no Kagami. In some circles it's known as the Forlorn Hope," Haruven explained. "It's the only object in the world that can truly fulfill your heart's desire."

Thor frowned, and looked at Haruven. "Your heart's desire?"

"Yes," Haruven nodded, tracing the silvery surface of the mirror with the tip of his finger.

"Why would you need such a thing?" Thor asked carefully. Haruven chuckled and looked at Thor with loving eyes full of reassurance.

"I don't need it anymore," he turned to face Castiel, placed the Mirror in the chest, closed it, and waved his hand over it. It vanished with a gust of wind to the surprise of everyone in the room. "Don't worry. It's in a safe place," Haruven assured them before he turned to face Thor. "You must understand that I was getting quite desperate a while ago," he explained. "I had no intention to use it in any way but as a last resort."

"Good. Such things always come with a price to pay," Thor said, and the three Hunters were surprised when he enveloped Haruven into a hug.

They had to admit that the two looked great together. It was like a meeting of day and night, with Thor's blond hair, and lighter tan, and Haruven's long, raven black hair, and slightly tanned skin.

"Now we have a last resort. We have much to do, and little time to do it," Haruven said.

"What do you want us to do? We'll do whatever it takes." Castiel and Dean agreed with Sam's words and Haruven pulled back from Thor to look at them, while the God of Thunder merely smiled.

He was right after all. Haruven had something in him that inspired whoever met him. He had no doubt that they would be ready; no doubt at all.

"Castiel, speak with your brothers and sisters. Do whatever you can to make them see that we need all the help we can get. Sam and Dean, I need you to speak with as many hunters, as quickly as you can. I have no doubt that they are better prepared for whatever evil we might face than most of the human race."

"I'll call Bobby immediately. He has more contacts than we do. It'll be done," Dean said, and Haruven nodded in thanks.

"Do you have a place to stay at?" he asked.

"We'll manage," Sam smiled and Haruven frowned.

"You could stay at the Café. I don't plan to reopen it in this situation. I can make it into a Safe-house of sorts in case the Avengers Tower is compromised."

"That is a good idea; you would need to make it bigger though," Thor suggested, and Haruven smirked.

"I have magic on my side, Thor," he spoke and Thor chuckled. "By the time I am done with it, it will be fit to house hundreds."

"I do not doubt that," Thor said and pulled Haruven closer to kiss one rosy cheek.

"Ven? Thor? Is everything alright?" Steve's voice came from a speaker in the room.

"Everything is alright, Steve. On your side?" Haruven reported.

"We've just received a call from Bruce Wayne. He said he managed to get in contact with Superman. They are on their way here." Haruven smiled at that.

"Good. That's good," he said, exchanging a glance with Thor, although he caught the way Dean's eyes widened and lips parted in shock and the way Sam rolled his eyes in exasperation while Castiel sighed and shook his head, lips tilted into a small smile.

"You'll need many more," Sam said, and Haruven nodded.

"I'll need to find a way to contact everyone."

"How did those runes at the Café work?" Bruce asked, and Haruven raised an eyebrow. "Come on now, Ven. You can't tell me that they weren't summoning all those in need to you."

For a few moments Haruven was quiet. A second later he smacked his palm against his forehead quite hard, making everyone in the room wince. "Heavens help me, I'm an idiot!"

"Ven?" Thor narrowed his eyes at his lover in confusion when Haruven started to pace.

"Don't you see, Thor? I placed those runes on the Café so that they would summon all those in need of a Sanctuary to me. With slight changes I could use the same spell to bring help here! I have no doubt that Loki would strike on us. He will want revenge. If we prepare an Army here, and somehow protect the rest of the world, then we may actually be able to make a stand!"

"I'm having difficulties following here," Tony drawled "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't mean to bring an army to New York."

Haruven sighed, and shook his head. "We'll need an army to fight this, Tony, and whether you believe it or not, there are many who are able to fight."

"What about the other Wizards?" Castiel asked.

"I'll have to think about that," Haruven murmured. "There are many Wizards on Earth. They live in every city, and every town and village in the world. There is a possibility that Loki will strike at many places at once. We must be ready for that."

"We need to devise strategies, but we can't do that if we don't know with how many people we can work," Natasha said.

"That is correct," Thor agreed, glancing at Haruven who stopped beside a window and looked out at the busy streets bellow them.

"We already know we don't have much time," he spoke, rubbing his chin with his right hand, left arm wrapped around his waist. "I'll go to Starborn Café, and prepare it. Castiel…"

"The moment we settle, I'll get in contact with Safiriel," said the former angel and Haruven nodded.

"Come," he said. "The sooner we start the better. Once I am done with Starborn Café, I'll come back to the Tower and start on those runes. Wayne and Clark should be here by then."

"At least we have started something," Thor said. "What would you have me do?"

"Stay here with your friends. I do not know how Volstagg and Hogun fight, but Fandral needs to train. The training room should be good enough for that. I'll hurry back," Haruven instructed, receiving a worried frown for his efforts.

"I do not like leaving you alone," Thor muttered warily and Haruven smiled at him lovingly, walking over to his huge lover to kiss him reassuringly.

"Don't worry so much about me, Thor," he spoke in a lovingly whisper. "I'll hurry back. Besides, you would know immediately if something went wrong."

Thor nodded although he didn't look happy. "Very well," he said, and Haruven smiled at him.

"You three should stay here until I'm done," Haruven said to the hunter trio. "You should meet everyone. We will all need to work on this together."

"We'll do that. You go. And good luck." Sam said, and Haruven disappeared in a blink of an eye. The moment he was gone the three looked at Thor, who all of a sudden felt slightly uncomfortable.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked once he cleared his throat.

"Not necessarily wrong," Dean drawled, and crossed his arms over his chest. "So; you and Ven are together now."

"Yes. We are Bonded," Thor confirmed.

"Do you love him?" Castiel asked, and Thor looked at him with a frown.

"What?"

"Do. You. Love. Him." Castiel pressed out through his teeth. Dean and Sam recognized that tone. It was one both of them learned to fear, especially Dean, since it meant Castiel was serious; very serious.

"I do. I love him more than I have ever loved anyone or anything," Thor said, looking straight in Castiel's eyes.

"Very well." Castiel nodded and straightened. "Haruven Sigurdsson helped Dean and me some time ago. He helped Samuel, and he helped a lot of people. I do believe that I speak in all of our names when I say that should you hurt him, no place on our Father's Green Earth will provide you safety. I will personally hunt you down and make you suffer in ways you cannot possibly comprehend; God of Thunder or not. I may no longer be an Angel of the Lord, but I can be quite resourceful when I want to be."

There was no doubt in Thor's heart that Castiel was serious. His baby blue eyes showed no lies.

"Then I have nothing to worry about," Thor spoke in the same tone. "Ven is my life. I shall sooner bring harm to myself than allow any harm to come to him. I have no doubt that there shall be times when he and I will argue and disagree, but I love him, and I will not hurt him intentionally."

Castiel nodded minutely. "Very well."

"Gee, babe. I didn't know you had it in you." Dean grinned, and Castiel threw him a glance. A slight blush covered his cheeks while Sam snickered.

"Never the less, what he said is true." Sam looked at Thor. "Ven was there for a lot of people. I think I speak in all of our names when I say you would see some serious trouble if anything happened to him."

Thor nodded with a small smile. "I am glad he has so many friends, whether he knows it is so or not."

"Not that I want to interrupt this wonderful display of love and loyalty, but we have a war to plan, and over here we have three-"

"Four!"

"Four very excited Asgardians who are already brandishing their swords," Tony corrected himself after Sif interrupted him.

Thor chuckled, and shook his head. "We are on our way."

Time was not on their side, but at least they were moving forward.

Even though they were few now, Thor hoped in his heart that soon they would have an army to fight Loki and the Chitauri with.

He only hoped they would win.

He only hoped.

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And so it begins. Who will come? Will anyone answer their call?