Ps : The missing chapter (9) has just been added
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New Mexico, Desert Town
The setting sun painted the sky blood-red as dry winds whipped dust into swirls against a rundown motel. Inside Jane Foster's makeshift lab, raised voices echoed.
"I am Thor, son of Odin! The God of Thunder from Asgard!" roared a blond giant, slamming the table, his eyes burning with anger and frustration. "I've been banished here, but my power will return!"
"Enough!" Jane rubbed her temples, exasperated. "I don't know if you're on drugs or just crazy, but if you keep this up, I'm calling the cops!"
Darcy Lewis, however, edged closer to Thor, eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're saying you're the god of thunder? Like in Norse myths? Can you…?"
Thor clenched his fists, desperate. "If only Mjölnir were here…"
BOOM!
A crash of stone erupted outside. A black figure plummeted from the sky, landing heavily and kicking up dust. As it settled, a man in sleek black exoskeletal armor stood revealed, its sharp lines accented by a glowing golden "S" on the chest. His face was cold, his eyes faintly aglow with golden light.
Thor straightened, on guard. "Who are you?"
James scanned the room, his gaze settling on Thor. "I believe you," he said in a deep voice. "You're Thor, son of Odin, God of Thunder."
Thor, stunned, burst into joy. "Finally! A sensible mortal!"
Jane's eyes widened. "Wait, you're serious? He can't be…"
James ignored her and approached Thor. "I need you to take me to Asgard."
Thor frowned. "Mortals cannot enter the realm of the gods."
"I'm not a mortal," James replied calmly, gripping Thor's shoulder. "And don't you want your hammer back?"
Thor's eyes lit up with longing. "Very well! I'll take you! But first, Mjölnir!"
James nodded. The next instant…
BANG!
A sonic shockwave tore through the town's air. The two men shot into the sky, vanishing over the horizon.
Jane and Darcy stood frozen, mouths agape, staring at the sky.
---
Desert Outpost, Temporary S.H.I.E.L.D. Base
Agent Coulson stared at the surveillance screens, brows furrowed. "Sir, new energy signature near the hammer!" an agent reported.
"Tighten security!" Coulson ordered. "The target might be here!"
But before he could finish…
BOOM!
The base's roof exploded. A black shadow crashed through the defenses, landing beside Mjölnir. Dust cleared, revealing James releasing Thor, his gaze calmly sweeping the area.
He'd acted deliberately. Having overheard Fury's conversation with Tony, he refused to cower before S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrogance.
"Attack! Attack!" Agents rallied, weapons trained on the figure.
Thor, oblivious, rushed to Mjölnir. "My hammer!" He grabbed the handle and pulled with all his might.
Nothing. The hammer stayed rooted, fused to the earth.
"No… impossible…" Thor muttered, disbelieving. He strained harder, muscles bulging, but Mjölnir didn't budge. "Father, have you truly forsaken me?" he groaned, collapsing to his knees.
James watched silently, knowing Thor had to face this trial to awaken.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents encircled them. "Don't move! Hands on your head!" Coulson ordered, advancing cautiously.
James eyed him. "Step aside. You can't stop me."
Coulson narrowed his eyes. "We'll see about that."
The agents opened fire, a hail of bullets raining down.
James didn't flinch. DING DING DING! The bullets stopped an inch from him, halted by an invisible barrier, then dropped to the ground.
The agents stood dumbfounded. "I told you," James said, taking a step.
The ground trembled. His bio-force field enveloped the area, pinning the agents to the ground, unable to breathe or hold their weapons.
Coulson, sweating, tried one last order. "Energy weapons, prep—"
But the agents collapsed, unconscious, before he could finish.
Suddenly, the sky warped. A green vortex appeared, and the Destroyer armor emerged slowly. A mocking voice echoed: "Oh, dear brother!" Loki materialized, holding Gungnir, a sly grin on his lips. "Look at you, humbled by mortals."
"Loki!" Thor roared. "Father, he—"
"Dead," Loki cut in, his gaze venomous. "Because of your foolishness, Father is gone."
Thor staggered, shocked. "No… impossible…"
James stayed back, observing without interfering. He knew Loki was lying, but Thor had to learn the truth himself.
"Loki!" Thor shouted. "Why did you bring the Destroyer to Earth?"
Loki shrugged elegantly. "To clean up your mess, brother. After all, I'm Asgard's king now."
The Destroyer opened its faceplate, a searing energy building. "Look out!" Thor yelled, lunging toward James, but he was gone.
James reappeared before the Destroyer. "Too much talk," he said coldly, delivering a sweeping kick.
BOOM!
The Destroyer split in half, its energy core exposed and vaporized by James's heat vision.
In Asgard, Loki recoiled, shocked. "Impossible! That's Odin's weapon!"
The sky darkened. Clouds swirled around Thor, lightning crackling. "Loki!" he roared. "You lie!"
A bolt struck Thor, enveloping him in light. His red cape billowed, and Mjölnir flew into his hand. When the light faded, Thor stood as the God of Thunder once more.
James crossed his arms. "You transform after the enemy's down?"
Thor coughed, embarrassed. "It's… a matter of flair."
Loki's illusion vanished, his face furious. "This isn't over! To Asgard!"
Thor raised Mjölnir. "Heimdall! Open the Bifrost!"
A rainbow pillar engulfed them, transporting them to Asgard's golden hall, facing dozens of armed guards.
"Welcome home," James said, amused. "Your brother set quite the stage."
Thor gripped his hammer, lightning crackling. "As always."
Loki, on the throne with Gungnir, ordered, "Eliminate them."
The guards charged, but James was ready to have some fun.