Facing the charging guards, James shook his head. He raised his right hand, his bio-force field forming an invisible wall. "Thor, deal with your brother. I'll handle the small fry."
He vanished, reappearing among the guards. BANG! BANG! BANG! His speed was blinding; they had no time to react. Each precise, measured strike knocked them out without killing them. Their weapons shattered like toys.
Thor, roaring, charged Loki with Mjölnir. "Brother, you'll pay for your lies!"
Loki sneered, brandishing Gungnir. A golden energy wave surged, blocked by a swing of Thor's hammer. The impact shook the hall.
"You betrayed Father! You betrayed Asgard!" Thor yelled, charging again.
Loki multiplied into dozens of illusions, encircling Thor. "Betrayed? I'm protecting the Nine Realms! You only bring war!"
Thor, disoriented, searched for the real Loki. James, done with the guards, floated in the air, eyes glowing gold. "Thor, he's three meters behind you, left side."
Thor spun, slamming Mjölnir into the floor. BOOM! The shockwave dispelled the illusions, revealing Loki, who stumbled back.
"You!" Loki hissed, furious, aiming at James. "A mortal dares meddle in divine affairs?"
James landed beside Thor. "I'm not a mortal."
Loki, eyes narrowing, raised Gungnir toward the dome. "If you seek death, then perish!"
A golden beam fired skyward. Thor paled. "He's activating the Bifrost's destruction mode! He'll destroy Jotunheim—and maybe Earth!"
James shrugged. "Then stop him."
Thor charged, but Loki erected an energy barrier, repelling Mjölnir. "Useless, brother," he mocked. "The Bifrost is already overloading!"
James narrowed his eyes, his heat vision striking the barrier. CRACK! Fractures appeared. Loki paled. "Impossible!"
Thor seized the moment, swinging Mjölnir. The barrier shattered, and Loki was hurled against the throne.
"It's over, Loki!" Thor advanced to grab him.
But Loki smiled strangely. "No, brother. It's just beginning."
He unleashed a green energy explosion, shaking the hall. "He's destabilizing the Bifrost!" Thor shouted. "Asgard could be swallowed by spatial chaos!"
James nodded, eyeing the Bifrost. A terrifying energy built within. "Thor, disable the Bifrost. I'll handle Loki."
Thor nodded and ran to the control room. Loki tried to stop him, but James blocked his path.
"You think you can stop me?" Loki hissed, conjuring a magical dagger.
James didn't reply. He vanished, reappearing to strike Loki's stomach. BANG! Loki spat blood, incredulous. "How…"
James grabbed his throat, lifting him. "Your magic doesn't work on me."
Loki, terrified, stopped struggling. Meanwhile, Thor reached the Bifrost and struck its energy core with Mjölnir. BOOM! The energy collapsed, chaotic streams erupting.
"James! Get out!" Thor yelled.
James tossed Loki to Thor. "Take him!"
The Bifrost engulfed them. When the light faded, they stood at the bridge's end. Loki, weakened, collapsed. "You… destroyed everything…"
Thor sighed. "No, brother. I prevented a catastrophe."
James eyed the stabilized Bifrost. "Now what?"
Thor took a deep breath. "I bring Loki to Asgard for judgment."
Loki sneered. "Judgment? Father is…"
"Alive," Thor cut in, saddened. "He sleeps, but he's not dead. Your ambition blinded you."
Loki froze. James shook his head. "Sort out your family drama."
He gazed at the horizon, thoughtful. "Thor," he said suddenly.
"What?"
"Asgard's an advanced civilization, blending tech and magic. I'm interested."
Loki, on the ground, scoffed. "A mortal wants to unravel divine secrets?"
James glared at him. "Your illusions, magic, schemes—none affect me. Where's your confidence to call me mortal?"
Loki fell silent, fuming. Thor laughed, clapping James's shoulder. "Well said! Stay, Asgard welcomes you. Father will want to meet you."
James nodded. "Take me to your library or workshops. I want to see what you know."
Thor grinned. "Deal! But first…" He hoisted Loki. "I need to lock up this troublemaker."
Loki growled. "You'll regret this."
Thor ignored him and said to James, "Follow me, I'll introduce you to Mother."
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