Chapter 198 to Chapter 208

...

Jane Foster, and the others were finally released.

The four of them drove back to the small townhouse, but something felt... off. Jane and Dr. Selvig noticed subtle yet unexplainable changes in the town's atmosphere. The once familiar streets now carried an unsettling tension.

Despite the eerie feeling, their primary concern was Thor's condition.

Once inside, Jane gently led the despondent Thor to the living room, guiding him to the sofa. She sat across from him, her expression filled with concern, and asked softly, "Thor, what happened?"

Dr. Selvig and Darcy stood nearby, their eyes fixed on Thor as he sat silently for a moment. Then, Thor raised his head, his normally vibrant eyes red and weary. His deep voice, now tinged with hoarseness, broke the silence:

"My father is dead."

"What?" Jane, Dr. Selvig, and Darcy exchanged shocked glances.

"The All-Father... dead?" Jane whispered in disbelief. Could gods truly die?

Meanwhile, in the grand halls of Asgard...

Odin's palace stood empty, its grandeur almost mocking the stillness. In the All-Father's chamber, he lay on his bed, motionless, as if carved from stone. His slumber, known to Asgardians as the "Odin-Sleep," cloaked him in an aura of peace and power.

The silence was broken by the sound of soft footsteps. Loki, clad in his signature emerald green, entered the room. His expression was unreadable as he approached Odin's bedside.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Loki stared at his father's face—so familiar, yet brimming with complexity. His voice, low and sharp, cut through the quiet.

"My good father," Loki began, his tone laced with bitterness, "your favoritism has baffled me since childhood."

He leaned closer, his words now dripping with venom.

"I never understood why your gaze always rested on Thor. Why I was left in the shadows, watching him bask in your praise, your applause, while I was forgotten, silent, and invisible."

He paused, his hands clenched into fists.

"But now I understand. I was never truly your son. Just a foundling—a Frost Giant you adopted out of charity."

Loki's eyes burned with anger.

"You despised Frost Giants, yet you raised one. Was it to temper Thor? To mold him into a king? Everything—his exile, his banishment—it was all a test. A test you orchestrated, just to bring him back, wash him clean of his failures, and crown him as the heir to Asgard's throne once more."

Loki stood abruptly, his face cold and resolute.

"But I won't let you. I'll see your plans undone, Father. All of them."

He grabbed Gungnir, Odin's spear, and turned on his heel. As Loki's figure disappeared into the shadows, the silence of the palace returned. A faint, almost imperceptible sigh echoed through the empty halls.

In the treasure vault of Asgard...

The room glittered with artifacts from Asgard's countless conquests—each item radiating ancient, godly power. Loki strode through the vault without sparing a glance at the treasures lining the walls. His destination lay at the far end, where a golden wall stood behind the throne.

Raising Gungnir, Loki tapped it against the ground.

Boom!

The sound reverberated through the chamber. The golden wall shimmered, revealing a massive suit of black and gold armor. Loki's lips curled into a cold smile.

"I hope you enjoy the surprise I've prepared, dear brother."

Back on Earth, in the small New Mexico town...

Dark clouds rolled in, and a heavy storm blanketed the area. Thunder roared, and rain poured relentlessly, turning the streets into rivers. The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on the townsfolk, signaling an impending disaster.

Inside the townhouse, Jane watched Thor from the window. He stood outside, drenched in rain, staring into the distance. His shoulders were tense, his expression unreadable.

Jane frowned, setting down her papers. Opening the glass door, she braved the storm to approach him. The wind whipped around her, soaking her clothes as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thor? Are you okay?" she asked, raising her voice over the wind.

Thor blinked, as if waking from a trance. He turned to Jane, his expression troubled.

"I have a bad feeling," he murmured.

Jane tilted her head. "A bad feeling? What do you mean?"

"Storms often herald disaster," Thor said, his voice heavy with foreboding.

Jane hesitated, the ominous tone in his voice unsettling her. "What kind of disaster?"

Thor didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked at her with uncharacteristic seriousness.

"If necessary, I want you, Selvig, and Darcy to leave town immediately."

"Why?" Jane asked, her heart tightening.

Before Thor could explain, his eyes widened as he spotted figures approaching through the rain. He stepped forward, his voice trembling with recognition.

"Sif... Hogan... Fandral... Volstagg?"

The four figures emerged from the storm, their laughter breaking through the gloom.

"Thor, we finally found you!" Sif called, her voice filled with relief.

"Thor!" the others echoed, their camaraderie evident even through the rain.

Thor embraced his old companions warmly, their reunion a rare moment of joy amid the chaos. But there was no time to waste. Thor quickly ushered Sif and the Warriors Three into the house, introducing them to Jane and the others.

...

After the introductions, Sif glanced at Jane with an expression Jane found hard to interpret. There was something in the Asgardian warrior's gaze—something unfriendly, almost disapproving—that made Jane feel uneasy.

Thor, however, paid no mind. For him, seeing his companions for the first time since his exile brought overwhelming joy.

"My friends, are you all well?" he asked, his voice filled with relief.

"We're fine, Thor, but we need you to return to Asgard," Sif said, her tone serious.

Thor shook his head. "Sif, I can't return. I am a sinner. Because of me, my father is... gone."

"What are you talking about? Odin isn't dead," Fandral interjected, confused.

Thor froze. His eyes widened in disbelief. "He isn't... dead?"

"Of course not," Fandral replied. "Odin has only entered the Odin-Sleep. Who told you he was dead?"

"It was Loki," Thor muttered, his voice trembling with both shock and anger.

"Damn it. I knew it!" Sif hissed. Her eyes hardened as she turned to Thor. "Listen, Thor. Since Odin entered the Odin-Sleep, Loki has seized Gungnir and declared himself the temporary ruler of Asgard, claiming it was Odin's will. But when we questioned him, he gave us no answers."

"He's taken control of Asgard," she continued, her frustration evident. "We knew something wasn't right. That's why we came here—to find you and bring you back."

Thor took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Loki..."

He gritted his teeth as he uttered his brother's name. Thor had forgiven Loki countless times before, even when Loki had acted against him. But this time, Loki's actions went far beyond mere mischief. They bordered on treason, threatening to plunge Asgard into chaos.

Thor clenched his fists. Loki might be his brother, but he would never be a worthy king.

Just as Thor was about to respond, a deafening roar tore through the air, drawing everyone's attention.

All eyes turned toward the source of the sound. In the distance, under the gloomy, storm-filled sky, brilliant columns of multicolored light crashed to the ground, radiating a celestial intensity.

"The Rainbow Bridge?" Sif exclaimed, her voice filled with alarm. "Who activated the Bifröst?"

"Loki!" Thor's voice was heavy with realization. He finally understood the unease that had plagued him.

Underneath the glowing rainbow light, a figure began to emerge—its massive form unmistakable to the Asgardians.

"Is that the Destroyer?"

Thor squinted, but his mortal eyesight betrayed him. Sif, however, saw it clearly. Her expression darkened.

"Damn it," she muttered. "Loki has sent the Destroyer to kill you. If we don't stop it, the entire town will be annihilated."

Thor's expression turned grim. "We need to evacuate the town. The Destroyer will kill everyone here."

Before he could finish, a thunderous explosion erupted in the distance. The Destroyer leaped into the air, its massive frame hurtling toward the town with terrifying speed.

Sif unsheathed her sword. "Thor, we'll hold it off. You must evacuate the townspeople."

Thor hesitated. The role reversal—him being the mortal needing protection—stung his pride. But he nodded, determination shining in his eyes.

"Go, my friends," Thor said solemnly. "I may be powerless now, but I'll do everything I can to save these people."

Sif and the Warriors Three nodded. With unwavering resolve, they sprinted into the storm, their figures disappearing into the heavy rain.

Thor watched them go, his heart heavy. He turned to Jane, Dr. Selvig, and Darcy, who had rushed outside upon hearing the commotion.

"Jane, contact Agent Coulson. Tell him to help evacuate the town immediately. We need all the help we can get to avoid a tragedy."

Jane nodded without hesitation but looked at Thor with worry. "What about you?"

"I can't leave. The Destroyer is here for me. If you stay, you'll be in danger."

"But—"

"Jane, listen to him," Dr. Selvig interrupted, gripping her arm. His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Reluctantly, Jane nodded. She and Darcy helped Dr. Selvig into the car, braving the storm as they drove off toward the town. Jane quickly pulled out her phone to make the call.

Thor watched their car disappear into the rain.

Boom!

A deafening crash echoed across the town, followed by the panicked screams of its residents. Thor didn't hesitate. He sprinted toward the source of the destruction, determination fueling every step.

...

At the S.H.I.E.L.D. camp miles away, Coulson rushed toward the crater where Mjölnir was being studied.

The hammer, once dormant, now crackled with electricity. Arcs of lightning danced along its surface, and the air around it shimmered with raw energy.

Coulson frowned. "What's happening?"

A nearby researcher, clearly shaken, hesitated before answering. "Sir, during routine testing, the magnetic field surrounding the hammer became unstable. Now it's..."

"It's what?" Coulson demanded.

"It's... reacting. It feels like it's about to fly away."

"Fly away?" Coulson repeated, his confusion deepening.

From the observation tower, Clint Barton—Hawkeye—descended using a grappling hook. He landed gracefully and approached Coulson.

"He's not lying," Barton said, his voice steady. "Whatever's happening, it's not us."

Coulson nodded, trusting Barton's assessment. His mind, however, drifted to another figure.

Thor Odinson.

If Mjölnir was reacting like this, Thor had to be involved.

Before Coulson could ponder further, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He answered swiftly.

...

"Go, go, go! Hurry up and leave!"

More than a dozen vehicles from the camp were dispatched, speeding toward the town. Several Quinjet fighter jets took off into the sky, their engines roaring.

Inside one of the black Chevrolet SUVs, Coulson sat in the passenger seat. From his headphones came the voice of Eagle Eye, Clint Barton:

"The situation in town doesn't look good. I can see those Asgardians fighting a giant metal monster, but it's not going well. That thing has some sort of energy beam emitter on its head, and the destruction it causes is incredible. Its defense is also off the charts. Asgardian weapons aren't having much effect on it."

Coulson frowned. "Clint, it doesn't seem like getting involved would do much good."

"I highly doubt thermal weapons will be effective against that thing."

"Then let's not waste our time. All agents, focus on evacuating the town's residents immediately. I've already instructed the agents stationed in the area to begin evacuation procedures," Coulson said decisively.

"Are we really not engaging?"

"Absolutely not. We won't make much of a difference in a fight like this. But backup is already on the way."

"Understood!"

With a deafening roar, one of the Quinjets tore through the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

Meanwhile, the town below was in chaos. The battlefield was just a few streets away from Jane Foster's house, which, fortunately, was in a relatively remote part of town. This gave the townsfolk some extra time to flee.

In the pouring rain, the towering silver-black metal monstrosity—known as the Destroyer—clashed with several figures. Even from a distance, it was clear the Asgardians were struggling. The surrounding buildings were crumbling under the sheer scale of the battle.

The townspeople had reacted quickly. As soon as the Destroyer appeared, they grabbed their families and ran for their lives. SHIELD agents stationed in the area immediately began assisting with the evacuation, minimizing casualties. Soon after, more agents arrived to continue rescue and evacuation operations, clearing out the town entirely.

While this eased SHIELD's burden, it left Thor watching helplessly from the corner of a street.

The Destroyer armor was an artifact forged by the dwarves and wielded by Odin himself in battles against ancient, powerful gods. Its might was unquestionable.

Thor's friends—Sif and the Warriors Three—were among Asgard's finest warriors, but they were no match for the Destroyer. Within minutes, all of them had sustained injuries.

Volstagg, the bravest among them, had attempted to face the Destroyer's beam head-on. He suffered extensive burns, and if not for his Asgardian physiology, he might have died on the spot.

The torrential rain washed away the blood and soot, but it couldn't hide the destruction.

Boom!

The Destroyer delivered a crushing blow to Volstagg, sending him hurtling through the air like a cannonball. He crashed into a distant house, reducing it to rubble. In a single sweeping motion, the Destroyer struck Sif, Fandral, and Hogun, hurling them dozens of meters away.

Its helmet opened, revealing a dazzling crimson light as it prepared to unleash a destructive beam at the fallen warriors.

Thor's heart clenched. He roared in desperation, stepping forward to intervene.

But before he could close the distance, a deafening sonic boom filled the air. Thor stopped in his tracks, his ears ringing.

Bang!

A figure plummeted from the sky like a meteor, piercing through the rain at incredible speed.

Thor squinted upward, but the downpour obscured his vision. All he could see was a shape hurtling straight toward the Destroyer.

Boom!

The figure collided with the Destroyer in a cataclysmic impact. The ground shook violently as a massive shockwave radiated outward, forming a crater nearly a hundred meters wide. The street vanished, reduced to rubble, and the surrounding buildings were flattened.

The air pressure from the impact expelled the rain, creating a temporary vacuum. Trees, vehicles, and debris were hurled away. Thor struggled to remain standing as the force pushed him back several meters.

When the dust and smoke cleared, Thor looked up with difficulty. The scene before him was surreal.

The massive crater dominated the street, and the Destroyer lay motionless at its center. Rain poured into the crater, hissing as it met the steaming ground.

In the sky above, several Quinjets hovered cautiously, their pilots reluctant to approach. From the outskirts of the town, SHIELD agents peeked out from their hiding places, some under eaves and others behind vehicles, watching in stunned silence.

Drones circled overhead, capturing footage of the aftermath.

Under one such eave, Coulson stood with a high-powered telescope in hand, rain dripping from his hair and coat.

"Clint, what do you see?"

"It looks like... a person. A very young Eastern European boy."

"A boy?" Coulson's expression darkened as he pieced something together. "Do not engage. Keep observing from a distance. This fight isn't ours."

"Understood."

"Sir," an agent called through Coulson's earpiece, "our reinforcements will arrive in three minutes."

"Good," Coulson muttered. His gaze returned to the crater. "This is getting interesting."

In the Asgardian palace, Loki sat on the throne, dressed in his green robes and horned helmet. He gripped the Eternal Spear tightly, his eyes shut in concentration.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, burning with shock and anger.

"What is that thing?" he snarled, rising abruptly. "How could it damage the Destroyer?"

...

"There is such a strong person in Midgard..."

"Damn it!"

Loki remotely controlled the Destroyer Armor through the Eternal Spear. In essence, the Destroyer Armor was an extension of himself. He and the armor shared the same perspective, and naturally, he could feel its power at the moment of impact.

Such strength—Loki could hardly believe it existed in Midgard. That backward, ignorant civilization.

Yet the reality stood before him, forcing Loki to reevaluate. Was this perhaps the work of an advanced alien civilization? A remnant of Odin's schemes?

The thought unsettled him. Why had Odin exiled Thor to Midgard? Among the Nine Realms, Midgard was the one Loki understood the least. He and Thor had visited it only a few times, centuries ago.

The more he thought about it, the more everything felt wrong. Gritting his teeth, Loki made a decision. He must kill Thor. Thor could not be allowed to return to Asgard alive.

If Thor survived, Loki's carefully laid plans would crumble. Thor's unprecedented prestige would render all Loki's efforts meaningless, exposing his treachery and leading to his inevitable judgment.

His resolve hardened, Loki's eyes gleamed with determination. He struck the ground with the Eternal Spear, Gungnir.

BOOM!

Accompanied by a resonant crash, an illusory figure appeared before him. Gray-skinned with scarlet pupils, the figure was Laufey, King of the Frost Giants.

"Loki Odinson."

"Laufey."

"It seems you understand now, Loki," Laufey said, his voice cold and calculated. "We share the same blood. That hypocrite Odin deceived you."

"Trust me, Laufey," Loki replied, his voice calm but laced with menace. "He will pay the price."

Loki studied Laufey's expression before continuing, "Let's make a deal."

"What do you want?"

"I want your army to go to Midgard and kill Thor. In return, you will have the Casket of Ancient Winters."

Laufey's expression shifted at the mention of the casket. Killing Thor meant little to him—it was the casket that truly tempted him.

The artifact was the cornerstone of his people's power, taken by Odin during the war between Asgard and the Frost Giants. Its absence had left Laufey weak and unable to recover from his injuries. With the casket, Laufey could restore his strength, rebuild his kingdom, and return the Frost Giants to their former glory.

But Laufey wasn't a fool. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "Loki, although I am inclined to trust you, if this deal is to proceed, I will need the casket now."

To Laufey's surprise, Loki readily agreed.

Producing the casket, Loki used the Eternal Spear to open the Rainbow Bridge. The bridge carried the artifact to Jotunheim, where it landed in Laufey's hands.

Laufey grinned as the familiar, immense power of ice coursed through his body, revitalizing him. "I like this deal, Loki."

"Then hurry," Loki replied coldly. "The Rainbow Bridge will take you to Midgard."

As Laufey prepared his forces, the town in Mexico shook violently before falling eerily quiet. The calm was fleeting.

BANG!

A figure crashed through the pouring rain, landing on the road a hundred meters from Thor.

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Sif and the Warriors Three, who had been blown back by the shockwave, recovered quickly. Sif shook her head to clear the dizziness before focusing on the figure.

He was young, muscular, and clad in a brown jacket, white shirt, jeans, and sneakers. His confident demeanor and bold presence reminded them of Asgardian warriors.

"Hey! I didn't think Midgard had warriors like you!" Volstagg said, stroking his beard as he approached the newcomer. "Man, I'll buy you a drink when this is over!"

"Are you Asgardians?" the man asked, looking them over.

Fandral raised an eyebrow. "You know of Asgard?"

The man nodded. "Thor mentioned it once, during a night of drinking. He spoke of his friends."

Volstagg laughed heartily. "Ha! It seems Thor has been busy. I'm Volstagg."

"Fandral."

"Sif."

"Hogun."

"I'm Sergei," the man replied. "Nice to meet you all, but I think we have more pressing matters."

He gestured toward the towering figure of the Destroyer Armor, which loomed menacingly on the slope ahead.

Thor, observing the scene from a distance, felt a surge of hope at the sight of Sergei. His eyes scanned the area until he spotted two familiar figures—Wanda and Pietro—standing near a building.

Bathed in the rain, an unseen force seemed to ripple around them. Feeling Thor's gaze, the siblings turned toward him.

In an instant, they vanished and reappeared beside him.

Thor clapped Pietro on the shoulder with a wide grin. "I'm sorry. I've brought war to your world."

"Then you owe us a feast!" Pietro quipped with a smirk.

"Of course," Thor replied. "If I ever return to Asgard."

...

"Very handsome guy. Is that Asgardian tech?"

Pietro glanced at the oppressive Destroyer Armor in front of him.

"Tech?" Thor asked.

"The armor."

Thor nodded. "Yes. This is the armor that the dwarves built for my father long ago. It possesses incredible power. I accompanied my father in a few battles with it. But as peace prevailed and my father aged, this armor was sealed away in Odin's treasury."

"But I didn't expect Loki to take it out."

"There should be some kind of restriction to using it, right?" Wanda's bright eyes gleamed red as she spoke softly.

"Yes," Thor said grimly. "No one, except my father, has the authority to wield the Destroyer—unless Loki has gained access to my father's weapon, the Eternal Spear, Gungnir. Gungnir isn't just a weapon; it's a symbol of power and authority."

Thor's tone grew heavier. As an Asgardian and Odin's son, he fully understood the significance of the Eternal Spear. With Gungnir in Loki's possession, Loki held the authority to claim the throne of Asgard. If Thor were to die in Midgard, Loki's ascension would become an irrefutable fact.

Wanda's tone turned contemplative. "Thor, is the Destroyer important to Asgard?"

Thor shook his head, confused. "It's both armor and a weapon, but no one can unleash its full power except my father."

"Ouch..." Wanda and Pietro exchanged glances. Without saying a word, they both understood the same thing: This thing is incredibly powerful. If we can, we should take it.

BOOM!

The Destroyer, under Loki's control, launched its attack. Loki wasn't controlling it directly; instead, he had commanded it to destroy indiscriminately. Anything in its sight would be annihilated.

As its helmet opened, a terrifying beam of destruction erupted, aimed straight at Sergei, Sif, and the others.

Sif and the rest instinctively prepared to dodge, but Sergei stood firm, unmoving.

Through his heightened senses, Sergei had already surveyed the entire town. He knew the residents had been evacuated, leaving only S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in the area. The malice emanating from those agents was palpable.

He didn't know its source, but it didn't matter. Sergei made his cold decision. In this battle against the Destroyer, he wouldn't concern himself with the lives of these agents.

So, with his right hand enveloped in a dark, armored-like energy, Sergei stepped forward. His left foot dug into the ground, and he threw a punch directly at the incoming beam.

BOOM!

The clash between flesh and the destructive beam exploded into a brilliant flash of red fire. The ground quaked violently as cracks radiated outward like a spider's web. The shockwave blew Sif and the others back over ten meters.

They scrambled to their feet, eyes wide in disbelief.

"What in the Odin's beard!" Volstagg gripped his axe tightly, his eyes as round as saucers. "He stopped the Destroyer's beam with his bare hands! What incredible power!"

Despite his astonishment, Volstagg couldn't suppress his excitement. "Well done, Sergei! Let's fight together!"

Sif and the other Asgardian warriors were equally shocked but filled with respect for Sergei's power. Their battle-hardened spirits ignited, ready to join him.

But the next moment stopped them in their tracks.

Before they could charge forward, Sergei launched a swift and violent counterattack. His entire body seemed rooted like an unyielding pillar against the destructive beam. Then, with a burst of power, he surged forward, closing the hundred-meter gap in an instant.

Leaping into the air, Sergei gripped the scorching beam with his dark, energy-clad hand. Sparks and molten energy scattered as he spun midair and delivered a devastating kick to the Destroyer's helmet.

CLANG!

The metallic sound of the impact echoed as sparks flew, and the Destroyer was sent hurtling through the rain. It crashed into the town, demolishing everything in its path. Buildings crumbled into rubble, and a deep trench several kilometers long was carved through the town by its trajectory.

Sif, the Warriors Three, and even Thor stared, slack-jawed.

Despite their shock, the battle wasn't over. Sergei didn't hesitate. As soon as his kick connected, he propelled himself forward again.

With a powerful leap, the ground beneath him shattered, sending him rocketing toward the Destroyer like a meteor. The resulting sonic boom nearly toppled the nearby buildings and swept Sif and the others off their feet.

In the next instant, Sergei crashed down with earth-shaking force onto the Destroyer.

BOOM!

The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the entire town. Debris—wood, glass, and fragments of buildings—was hurled into the air. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, including Coulson, could only cower behind walls, shielding themselves from the devastating aftermath.

Sif and the others planted their weapons into the ground to brace against the storm-like shockwave, but even then, they were pushed backward.

...

The terrifying surge of air lasted over ten seconds before subsiding slightly.

When everyone stood up and surveyed the scene, they were shocked to find the entire town reduced to rubble. The shockwave had flattened everything.

The town lay in ruins, with a massive pit hundreds of meters in diameter at the end of a long trench. Cracks radiated outward from the pit, and broken trees, streetlamps, wooden planks, shattered billboards, glass fragments, and overturned cars were scattered across the muddy ground. The destruction was breathtaking.

Coulson and a group of agents who had been lucky enough to escape unscathed stood in silent shock. The scene was beyond anything they had ever imagined.

For Coulson, the most destructive event he had ever witnessed was Natasha's battle with the Abomination in New York. That fight had devastated several streets, but it had been over within minutes.

This, however, was different. The power on display was incomprehensible. Coulson felt a chill run down his spine as he realized how close he had come to death. If not for his instincts urging him to drop to the ground and brace for the worst, he might have ended up like the unfortunate agents who had been caught in the aftermath.

"Damn it, I hate missions like this," Coulson muttered under his breath. With a mix of frustration and relief, he removed his damaged sunglasses and wiped the rain off his face.

"Sir," one of the agents called, a group of them gathering behind him.

Coulson waved them off, turning away without looking back. Into his headset, he ordered, "All agents, evacuate the town immediately. Deploy drones to monitor the area from a safe distance. This is no place for us to linger."

"Understood."

The agents didn't hesitate. They had just survived a battle beyond human comprehension and knew staying in the area was a death sentence. They rushed to their vehicles—thankfully, a few had survived the destruction—and within moments, seven or eight cars sped out of town, leaving behind any unnecessary equipment.

Thor, though mortal in this state, was being looked after by Pietro and Wanda. Unlike Sif and the others, Thor was relieved that Jane and the townspeople had been evacuated earlier. Otherwise, the aftermath of this battle would have been fatal for them.

Thor frowned. "That was a terrifying display of power. But I doubt the Destroyer will be defeated so easily. And..." He hesitated, his expression darkening. "I have a bad feeling about this. Loki wouldn't allow the Destroyer to be taken down without a plan."

"Relax, good brother," Pietro said, placing a hand on Thor's shoulder. His expression was calm but tinged with amusement.

Thor turned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"We need to have a discussion," Pietro replied casually.

"About what?"

"I think you're right. We're about to face something much worse—a war." Pietro's tone remained light, but his words carried a gravity that made Thor's pupils shrink.

"War?"

"Yes," Pietro explained, a small smile playing on his lips. "Our leader, Leon, taught us a powerful technique called Haki. One aspect of it, when mastered, allows us to glimpse the future."

Thor's expression shifted. "Leon... he's the one who trained you? I've heard much about him. I look forward to meeting him. So, did you use this... Haki to foresee a war?"

"That's right. Look over there," Pietro said, nodding toward the horizon.

Thor turned just in time to see it.

Boom!

From the vortex of dark clouds swirling in the sky, a massive, colorful beam of light descended to the earth less than a few kilometers from the town.

One after another, towering figures emerged from the beam. The air grew frigid, and frost spread across the ground, creeping outward.

Thor's eyes widened in rage as recognition struck him. "Loki! You've allied with the Frost Giants and brought them to Midgard to wage war? Asgard will never forgive you for the chaos you've unleashed on the Nine Realms!"

Thor's anger was palpable. He could forgive Loki for his lies, deceit, and betrayal. But now, Thor understood the value of peace—and how fragile it was.

For the sake of power, Loki had betrayed both him and Odin, stolen the Eternal Spear Gungnir, unleashed the Destroyer, and endangered innocent lives.

And now, he had joined forces with the Frost Giants to invade Midgard.

Thor clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot. He could already envision the chaos this act would bring: war raging across the Nine Realms, kingdoms engulfed in flames, and untold suffering. Loki had lit the spark that would plunge everything into disorder.

At this moment, Thor hated that he was powerless. If he still had his divine strength, he would have flown to Asgard, beaten Loki senseless, and locked him away in the deepest dungeon.

Pietro, however, was far less concerned. He observed the growing army of Frost Giants with interest. "So these are Frost Giants? Fascinating."

Though he had encountered alien beings before, creatures like these were a rare sight.

Wanda, meanwhile, fixed her gaze on the figure leading the Frost Giants. A mischievous glint sparkled in her bright eyes, and she smiled.

"There's something intriguing about him," Wanda said softly. Her smile widened. "Today might just be a good day after all."

....

The atmosphere in the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters was tense. Inside the Information Control Center, a massive screen dominated the front wall.

The screen displayed a live feed from a S.H.I.E.L.D. drone, showing a small Mexican town in the grip of chaos. Heavy rain blurred the image, casting the scene in a gloomy, oppressive tone. Despite the challenging conditions, the drone's advanced adjustments ensured the picture was sufficiently clear.

Nick Fury and Agent Hill stood at the forefront, intently watching the feed. Behind them, other agents had risen from their seats, their focus unwavering. There was little anyone at headquarters could do at the moment.

"Director, the situation in the town is spiraling out of control," came Coulson's voice, his tone edged with anxiety. "I've ordered our people to evacuate the area, but the impact has been devastating. We've already lost over a dozen agents."

Fury crossed his arms, resting one hand on his chin as he paced back and forth. His expression was inscrutable, his mind clearly at work. He seemed to be waiting for something—or someone.

Moments later, a soft female voice broke through the tense silence, transmitted through the comms. Everyone, including Coulson, heard it.

"Director Fury, we've reached the skies above the town and have identified the enemy," the voice reported.

"Jean," Fury replied, his tone calm and measured, "this is the Avengers' first battle as a team. We can't directly intervene, but we'll provide support where needed. This is their test, a chance to adapt and work together. Remember, their decisions in battle don't need my approval."

"Understood!" Jean responded before cutting the communication.

Hill's gaze shifted to the screen, where frost had overtaken the town, spreading relentlessly. Among the chaos, tall alien soldiers marched in formation. Her voice was cold as she remarked, "Sir, this appears to be Asgardian civil strife. If this fails, we could face significant pressure from Asgard."

"Trust me, Hill," Fury replied calmly, "this may look like a crisis, but in reality, it's just a friendly exercise."

Hill blinked in surprise. "A friendly exercise?" she repeated, the metaphor catching her off guard. Her confusion deepened as the screen displayed a boy and girl standing beside Thor in the town.

"Could it be—?" she began.

Fury nodded. "Exactly, Agent Hill. If my guess is right, this is a trial for Thor, the God of Thunder. A test, nothing more. If it were a true Asgardian crisis, there would be far more significant forces involved."

Fury's single eye gleamed with insight. As a man privy to vast amounts of information, his deductions were often eerily accurate. He continued, "From a higher perspective, the giant metal creature in the town and these unknown troops are merely part of a larger scheme—a façade. At the center of it all is Thor."

"And those three individuals near him," Fury added, "are part of the same game. This so-called civil strife is a means to strengthen alliances and address Asgard's internal unrest. It's a way for those involved to consolidate power and build friendships with key players."

Hill shivered involuntarily. The idea that this world-shaking crisis, which had left S.H.I.E.L.D. on edge, could be a calculated ploy orchestrated by two powerful entities was both chilling and humbling.

"Sir, what kind of people are we dealing with here?" she asked bitterly, feeling an overwhelming sense of insignificance.

Fury sighed. "A human? A god? Who knows. But one thing is certain—humans and Earth won't remain weak and insignificant forever. Through wisdom and effort, we'll rise above. The Avengers initiative marks the beginning of that journey."

Meanwhile, aboard an angelic battleship drifting in the void of a distant dimension, Leon stood in the resplendent Angel Hall. Before him was a projection of a golden, enigmatic machine—an artificial cocoon.

Leon studied it thoughtfully. "Can we decipher its biological structure and genetic sequence?" he asked.

Keisha, the beautiful angel beside him, spoke softly. "The cocoon is surrounded by a powerful and highly concentrated energy field. If we attempt to scan it, we risk alerting the planet's inhabitants and disrupting the cocoon's creation process."

Leon nodded, his gaze fixed on the projection. This artificial cocoon, discovered accidentally during a galactic scan, was no ordinary creation. It contained Adam Warlock, the legendary warlock of the universe.

The Sovereign, an advanced civilization with golden-skinned inhabitants, had abandoned traditional reproduction in favor of genetic engineering. Each individual was meticulously designed to fulfill a predetermined role, embodying power and arrogance. Adam Warlock was their masterpiece, created under the direction of High Priestess Ayesha to be the ultimate weapon.

The cocoon was near completion, and Adam Warlock, once awakened, would be a force of unimaginable power, among the universe's strongest.

Leon's expression remained composed, but a flicker of ambition gleamed in his eyes. "To ignore such potential would be folly," he mused.

...

This is a pivotal moment for Leon—a treasure trove of opportunity.

His genetic sequence is one of the most perfect in the universe.

The most crucial aspect? This gene can be fully replicated.

It was one of the first plans Leon thought of when he woke up that morning. Why could he confidently envision creating his own Kingdom of God? Why does he recruit and cultivate newborn orphans? One of the key reasons lies in Adam Warlock's genetic engineering.

This groundbreaking, replicable genetic engineering allows the transfer of his genetic perfection to others.

To grasp the magnitude of this, one must understand Adam Warlock's upper limit: the Living Tribunal's Adam. Even a fraction of this overflowing power is equivalent to the concept of omnipotence itself—capable of creating entirely new universes.

In essence, entities like Galactus, Death, Eternity, and Infinity operate under the authority of the Tribunal. And above the Tribunal? The One-Above-All, the pinnacle of cosmic hierarchy. To possess subordinates of such stature... what would that feel like?

Leon was determined to find out.

For now, however, his plan could proceed to its first phase.

"This genetic engineering is extraordinarily complex," Leon began, his voice calm but resolute. "It requires immense energy, rare resources, and massive computational power to support it."

"Our priority," he continued, "is to construct a new Celestial Computer."

Leon wasn't one to rely on plans without preparation. At the current Earth stage, the computing power of the Sky Blade's Celestial Computers sufficed. But as he encountered increasingly powerful lifeforms, civilizations, and technologies, even the might of Sky Blade fell short.

While his sign-in system was indeed potent, its flaw was its unpredictability. The rewards grew more generous over time, but what Leon desired most—control over the Angel Nebula—remained elusive, a probability beyond his influence.

Pragmatic as always, Leon focused on gradually advancing the Sky Blade series of battleships. These would pave the way for building a universe-level Celestial Computer. Over time, with accumulated power, he could backtrack and develop multiverse-level Celestial Computers—a distant but attainable goal.

For now, the focus was clear: build the Sky Blade battleships.

Energy was critical, particularly dark matter energy—a resource invisible to most but abundant in the universe. Fortunately, the Sky Blade Battleships were equipped to absorb it. With the construction of the second battleship, efficiency would skyrocket, accelerating the creation of subsequent ships.

The process would snowball: zero to one was always the hardest step, but one to two, two to three, and beyond would become progressively easier.

This would also boost the computing power necessary to scan the dark matter plane, extract advanced technologies from alien civilizations, and collect genetic data from various lifeforms.

Leon broke his contemplation.

"Keisha," he called, turning to his trusted AI, "to access all the Sovereign's artificial cocoon data undetected, what's missing?"

"Time," Keisha replied without hesitation. "With our current resources, it will take three years to fully decode it while maintaining the necessary computational support for you."

Leon nodded. At this stage, reducing the computational power of Sky Blade was not an option. Doing so would mean losing his Sky Father-level combat capabilities—a risk he couldn't afford during this developmental period.

"Do we have enough dark matter energy to construct a second Sky Blade Battleship?"

"Yes," Keisha confirmed.

"Good. Begin construction immediately."

"Understood. The second Sky Blade Battleship is now under construction. Estimated completion time: 200 days."

Leon nodded as Keisha's voice trailed off.

At that moment, a message surfaced in Leon's mind. Intrigued, he waved his hand, dispersing the holographic projection of the artificial cocoon. Instead, a real-time feed of a small Mexican town on Earth appeared before him.

"Well, well," Leon murmured, a wry smile creeping onto his face. "Loki's really outdone himself this time—bringing Frost Giants to Earth."

His gaze sharpened as the feed shifted, showcasing an unlikely alliance: the X-Men, Tony Stark, a disheveled Peter Parker, and Typhoid Mary, all banding together as a new Avengers team.

"A fascinating spectacle," Leon muttered.

All he had intended was for Wanda, Pietro, and Sergei to bond with Thor. Yet the butterfly effect of this simple interaction had transformed a minor farce into a major event—complete with the involvement of the Frost Giant species and a new Avengers lineup.

Still, Leon wasn't entirely surprised. Actions ripple, creating unexpected consequences. The larger picture, however, remained unaltered.

At this moment, Loki believed he was rebelling against Odin, but in truth, he was a pawn lost in delusion. His purpose? To catalyze Thor's growth and bring him closer to Wanda, Sergei, and Pietro.

No matter how hard Loki schemed or resisted, he remained a tragic figure—trapped on a chessboard far beyond his control.

Only a select few grasped this reality: Leon, Odin, the Ancient One, and now Nick Fury.

From his perch at S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury was one of the rare mortals with the foresight to glimpse the bigger picture.

"Clever man," Leon mused, "but ultimately insignificant."

After all, gods don't concern themselves with mortals.

...

Setting aside the bald man for the moment, Leon, like Wanda, turned his attention to Laufey, the King of the Frost Giants.

Based on the dark matter plane information retrieved by Sky Blade, Laufey possessed a unique artifact: the casket of Ancient Winter.

This relic, an inheritance of the Frost Giant's king, was an extraordinary object of immense power. The frost core within the casket held enough ice energy to instantly freeze an entire planet, and its reserves seemed endless. It bore a resemblance to the Infinity Stones, albeit as a simplified version.

Odin had once claimed it as a trophy, locking it away in his treasury. While Asgard's arrogance dismissed the casket as inferior to its own relics, the truth was that its power was specific to frost giants—though Odin himself could wield it if needed. Yet, it had languished in Asgard's vault, forgotten and unused.

But Leon had his eyes on this artifact.

Regardless of how he intended to utilize Sky Blade in the future, securing the casket was a priority. Like Wanda, Sergei, and the others, Leon believed that when something rare and powerful presented itself, it was worth every effort to obtain it.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky, and rain poured relentlessly, pooling into muddy, foul-smelling streams in the ruined town. Yet, no one present paid any attention to the miserable weather.

All eyes were on the Frost Giant army approaching from beyond the town, their march accompanied by a spreading tide of frost.

Bang!

In the center of the town, a deafening roar echoed as the Destroyer Armor was launched like a cannonball, striking the outskirts where the Frost Giant army advanced.

Laufey's crimson eyes narrowed, his expression darkening as he raised a hand. He seemed to recall something unpleasant.

Crack!

A surge of freezing air spread across the ground less than fifty meters away, forming an impenetrable wall of ice. The Destroyer slammed into it, the impact echoing as shards exploded into the air. A massive dent marred the ice wall, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. The Destroyer was embedded within but unharmed.

As Odin's creation, the Destroyer Armor's durability was unparalleled, and it possessed the ability to repair itself automatically.

The Destroyer wrenched itself free, landing firmly on the ground as the ice wall shattered and collapsed into fragments.

Now, the opposing sides were clearly defined.

Within the town stood the primary defenders: Sergei, Pietro, Wanda, Sif, and the Warriors Three. Thor, reduced to a mere mortal, would have already succumbed to the battle's aftermath had Wanda not supported him with her magic.

Boom!

A sonic boom reverberated through the storm as a streak of golden and red cut through the rain. Iron Man descended from the storm-laden sky, landing amidst the defenders.

Tony Stark's armor gleamed under the rain as water trickled down its sleek surface. His helmet visor retracted, revealing his face as he surveyed the scene.

Nearby, a Quinjet hovered above the battlefield, its hatch opening to release figures clad in X-Men combat uniforms: Wolverine, Phoenix, Colossus, Cyclops, and Storm. Joining them were Peter Parker, clad in black armor with a hood, and Typhoid Mary.

The newly-formed Avengers had arrived.

Tony glanced at Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three before his gaze settled on Wanda, Sergei, and Pietro.

"Hey, would you mind if we joined this party?" Tony quipped, though his tone held an undercurrent of unease.

The sight of Wanda and Pietro stirred conflicting emotions in him. He could never forget their tumultuous history—or the fact that they had once spared his life.

For their part, Wanda and Pietro remained calm, their expressions impassive as they regarded Tony as though he were no more than a stranger or passing acquaintance.

Tony sighed, his guilt deepening.

At that moment, Sergei's voice cut through the rain.

"Well, well, I didn't expect you guys to show up," he said, his tone light but pointed as he addressed the X-Men.

The X-Men had long maintained a tacit alliance with Leon and his team, recognizing the terrifying and mysterious strength of these young individuals. Out of mutual respect, the two groups had preserved their goodwill.

Cyclops stepped forward, his visor glowing faintly. "Sergei, who are those guys? They don't look too friendly."

"No doubt about it—they're enemies," Sergei replied, stepping closer through the rain. He rolled his shoulders, his excitement barely contained. "Finally, a real fight! The Destroyer Armor is incredible—it's not just tough but fast and powerful, even more so than the Hulk."

With Odin relinquishing remote control, the Destroyer Armor now operated at its full capacity, following commands with precision and unleashing its full combat potential. Its performance was awe-inspiring, igniting Sergei's love of battle.

The arrival of the Frost Giant army and the impending clash of godly and mortal powers only heightened his enthusiasm.

"My friends," Sergei said, his voice carrying a mix of caution and exhilaration. "Never underestimate the Frost Giants."

...

"Frost giants from the kingdom of Jotunheim. A long time ago, my father led the Asgardian army to wage war against them."

Thor's deep voice carried weight as he spoke. "That war was catastrophic. Countless brave and powerful Asgardian warriors perished. My father gave everything he had to defeat them."

He recalled his unauthorized incursion into Jotunheim, where he faced the Frost Giants firsthand. The terror they exuded was palpable. Even Laufey's mere presence had unnerved him. While Thor wasn't afraid of their power, the experience had left an indelible mark on him. Now, in calmer moments, he shared his thoughts with his companions, his resolve firm.

"I want no casualties on Earth because of me," he said gravely.

"Well, I'll give you this much: the guy leading them is definitely formidable," Pietro remarked, his sharp eyes scanning the past through his gift of perception. The frost giant standing at the forefront radiated such a potent aura that even Pietro felt a chill.

Wanda nodded thoughtfully. "There's something about him... He was grievously injured, but now he's on the rebound. It's troubling."

"Impossible!" Thor snapped. "My father dealt him a near-fatal blow. For countless years, he's been too weak to recover. Time alone shouldn't have been enough to heal those wounds... Could it be—?"

Thor's face darkened as a realization took root. Sif and the Warriors Three exchanged uneasy glances, their own fears mirroring his.

"What could Loki be planning?" Sif said, her voice tinged with disbelief. "Doesn't he know what he's doing?"

"He gave the Casket of Ancient Winters to the King of the Frost Giants?" Volstagg exclaimed. "He's practically creating an unstoppable enemy!"

"This is treason against Asgard!"

The implications were chilling. A bitter enemy of Asgard, now empowered by the most sacred relic of his people, could exact devastating revenge.

"This is dire," Fandral said, his voice low. "The Casket's power is unparalleled. According to our records, it froze the entirety of Jotunheim in mere moments during the war. If Odin hadn't intervened, Asgard might have been—" He trailed off, but the unspoken conclusion was evident to everyone.

The gravity of the situation was not lost on their human allies. Tony Stark's expression turned grim as he crossed his arms.

"Loki is a reckless fool," Thor growled, his frustration boiling over. "His actions have gone beyond personal vendettas. He's endangered Asgard and the entire cosmos. Imprisonment won't suffice this time. He'll need to face justice in front of all Asgard."

Tony's voice cut through the tension. "I don't care about your family drama, but we need accountability for what he's brought to Earth. Lives are at stake, and we can't let Asgard brush this off like it's someone else's problem."

Thor clenched his fists but nodded. "You have my word. Loki will answer for this."

Meanwhile, more than ten kilometers away...

A temporary camp had been erected behind the town. The setup was crude—a sprawling patchwork of oversized tents and makeshift shelters housing the evacuated townsfolk and a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.

Fear hung thick in the air. Families huddled together, holding their loved ones close for warmth. Amidst the cold wind and relentless rain, the crowd murmured anxiously.

Some residents speculated wildly about the events that had upended their lives.

"That metal monstrosity—it's got to be a top-secret military robot gone rogue," one man insisted.

"Nonsense," another countered. "It's an alien weapon. They're scouting Earth for an invasion!"

Others muttered about Tony Stark's possible involvement, weaving conspiracy theories around his advanced technologies.

Inside one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mobile information vehicles, Jane Foster, Dr. Erik Selvig, and Darcy Lewis sat, exhausted and uneasy. Jane and Erik, having worked closely with Thor before, were treated with a degree of deference by the agents. The interrogation had been brief—they had shared everything they knew.

Now, as rain pelted the vehicle's roof, Darcy slumped in her seat, lamenting her losses.

"All my stuff... gone," she moaned. "My clothes, my gadgets, my makeup. Do you know how expensive that was? Ugh, I'm so stressed, I think my boobs are shrinking."

Dr. Selvig sighed, his expression somber. He knew his laboratory equipment had likely suffered the same fate. The destruction weighed heavily on him—not just personally, but professionally.

"I wonder if S.H.I.E.L.D. or the government will reimburse us," he muttered absently.

Jane, however, was silent. Her gaze remained fixed on the rain-smeared window, her thoughts consumed by Thor.

"Do you think he's okay?" she asked quietly.

Selvig placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Thor's stronger than anyone I've ever met. He'll be fine."

"Maybe," Jane replied, her worry unabated.

Suddenly, Darcy nudged Jane with her elbow, motioning toward the computers in the vehicle. Jane's eyes widened as realization dawned.

...

"I'll let Loki give you an explanation," Thor declared.

His words made Sif and the others frown involuntarily. Even the grumpy Volstagg opened his mouth to speak, but Fandral, quick as ever, stopped him with a firm gesture. Volstagg, though restrained, still seethed with anger, his dissatisfaction evident.

To the brave warrior, the glory of Asgard could never be desecrated by outsiders, no matter what Loki had done. Such matters, no matter how grave, were for Asgard to judge, not others. The pride of the people of the Divine Realm was deeply ingrained in their hearts and souls.

But to others—those not from Asgard—this pride often came across as arrogance.

If this were yesterday, neither Sif, Fandral, nor Hogun would have opposed Volstagg's sentiment. They might have even shared his indignation, ready to draw swords at Tony Stark's boldness.

But after witnessing Sergei's power firsthand, their perspectives had shifted. Though Pietro and Wanda had not fought, their demeanor—calm and composed—spoke volumes. Their strength was undeniable, their attitude revealing both pity for the weak and respect for the strong.

This was not the Asgard they knew, but it was a reality they had to accept.

So, when Tony challenged Thor to make his stance clear, Sif, Fandral, and Hogun bristled with discontent but held their tongues. After all, Tony was no mere mortal. Breaking the sound barrier with ease, he commanded respect.

As the brief conversation ended, the frost giants drew closer to the town.

From a distance, Laufey's scarlet eyes locked onto Thor, Sif, and the other Asgardians. Hatred burned fiercely within him. Raising his hand high into the sky, he clenched his fist.

A deafening roar erupted from the frost giant army behind him. Frosty air condensed into massive ice spears and boulders, which were hurled toward the town with devastating force.

The whistling of the projectiles slicing through the air was chilling. The sheer number of spears and boulders darkened the sky, a terrifying sight that made Sif and her companions tense.

Tony Stark's mask snapped into place as he prepared to take flight.

Jean Grey's face was resolute, her hands ready to project a telekinetic shield. Cyclops, his hand poised over his visor, adjusted its settings to maximum output.

But amidst the preparations, no one noticed Pietro or Sergei's expressions.

The two didn't move. They didn't even flinch.

Suddenly, a surge of power erupted from behind the group. Before anyone could react, Wanda stepped forward. Her crimson-tinged eyes gleamed as her hands wove a series of intricate gestures. Her thumbs and index fingers formed a triangular shape in the air.

Click.

The sound was crisp, and the world seemed to shatter like fragile glass.

An invisible force rippled outward, halting the frost giants' attack midair. The spears and boulders froze in place, suspended like ornaments in a nightmarish tableau. Even the raindrops were caught in the stasis, creating a surreal, stop-motion effect.

"Odin's beard!" Volstagg murmured, his disbelief echoed by the others.

The Avengers were equally stunned.

Tony, ready to take off moments ago, froze in awe.

But Wanda wasn't done. Her hands shifted again, and the frozen spears and boulders turned on their creators, hurtling back toward the frost giants.

The sharp whistling resumed, this time aimed at Laufey's forces.

The frost giants hesitated, clearly unaccustomed to being counterattacked in such a manner. Laufey's scarlet eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, his focus shifting from Thor to Wanda.

He raised his hand effortlessly, and the incoming projectiles disintegrated midair. The shards of ice coalesced into a biting frost that swirled around him, eventually forming a massive, jagged sword.

The display of power left both sides uneasy.

"Damn it," Logan muttered under his breath. "This guy's tougher than I thought."

Scott nodded. "But we've got some powerhouses of our own." He glanced at Wanda, intrigued.

Nearby, Thor cracked his neck, his expression a mixture of exhilaration and frustration. He lived for the thrill of battle but was disheartened not to be its centerpiece.

Ahead, Laufey approached, his frost giants and the dreaded Destroyer armor trailing behind him. The sight of Odin's former weapon marching alongside their enemies struck a nerve with the Asgardians. It was an affront to their honor.

The frost giants' approach transformed the landscape. Snow fell thickly, mingling with rain, turning the battlefield into a stark contrast of icy desolation and pouring chaos.

Laufey finally stopped, planting his frosty sword into the ground. His gaze lingered on Wanda, ignoring the others.

"What drives you to fight for Midgard?" he asked, his voice as cold as the ice surrounding him.

...

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