Two soldiers, Hayes (male) and Stevens (female), are in a
romantic relationship and are late for the briefing from their commander on the
imminent military action against the forces of the Serpent. Steve Rogers has
sent one of the Secret Avengers, Valkyrie, to lead the attack. Invited to address the troops
she says only, “Most of you are going to die today” and walks out. Hayes and
Stevens flirt while preparing for the mission; Stevens thinks Val looks a bit
nervous while Hayes says this isn’t anything she hasn’t seen before…. Val’s
mind goes back to the ancient time when she was the young princess Brunnhilde
who had a crush on her father’s greatest warrior Sigmund who has been teaching
her to fight….
The fight in Philadelphia against Sin’s troops in battle
armor is a bloody one, Hayes and Stevens doing their best—but then an enemy
fires at them and Hayes shields Stevens’ body with his own and is mortally
wounded…. Val remembers the ancient battle where Sigmund died protecting her…. Val
kills the enemy soldier and tells Stevens to leave him and come along. She
refuses…. Val recalls the arrival of Odin the enemy leader and her refusal to leave
Sigmund’s body behind. At first angry, Odin is impressed by her devotion and
tells her of his plan to create a resting place for the heroic dead and he
offers her the position of Valkyrie, carrying their souls to Valhalla to find
peace and serving as a symbol and inspiration to those in battle…. And Val
carries Hayes’ body off the field for Stevens….