The "give" in Thor's mouth wasn't literal—Hong Fei knew better than to expect the All-Father's spear as a gift. But the shift from "lend you" for Mjolnir to "give you" for Gungnir spoke volumes. Back home, they'd say it like this: a son sells his father's land without a second thought.
Gungnir's weight settled in Hong Fei's grip, its icy metal humming against his palm. Divine energy pulsed through the spear, stirring the Dragon Power coiled in his veins until it roared to life. This was Odin's weapon—by rights, it should have burned his hands to ash.
Yet the All-Father's power welcomed him like an old friend. Proof, perhaps, that flashing your fangs at every passing shadow just makes you predictable. The Dark Elves' invasion was over. Asgard stood.
Two distinct forces surged through Hong Fei's body—one hardening muscle and bone, the other swelling his energy reserves. He'd played the model guest here, mindful of Odin's watchful gaze. More saint than sinner, all things considered.
The Bifrost control center loomed ahead. Heimdall slumped on the steps, his golden eyes dull, the great sword across his knees like a burden too heavy to lift. Thor's voice boomed off the crystal walls before they'd fully crossed the threshold: "Heimdall! Send us to Midgard."
The gatekeeper's gaze locked onto the sickly red glow pulsing beneath Jane's skin.
"You'll take war to their doorstep," he said flatly. "Midgard's people can't stand against the Dark Elves."
"I thought the same once."
Thor's grip tightened around Jane.
"We saw only their numbers, never their strength."
His eyes flicked to Hong Fei.
"You know his name, Heimdall. You've used it yourself."
Heimdall turned his head slowly.
"Dragon King. Of course."
His lips thinned.
"But Earth has only one of him, and his followers are no match for what comes."
Hong Fei stepped forward, smiling.
"You're underestimating them. Alone? Maybe not. Together?" He spread his hands. "They'll surprise you."
Thor clapped him on the shoulder.
"He's right. And Hong? Commands a battlefield like he was born to it."
Heimdall's eyes darted between them. After a long silence, he rose and trudged to the control hub. Both hands wrapped around his sword's hilt, he paused.
"This is your choice? Asgard's warriors won't reach you easily there."
"Let Asgard rest."
Hong Fei nodded.
"Earth can handle its own problems. If we can't?" He shrugged. "Then send the cavalry."
And if even he failed, there was always the Ancient One. As for Asgard? They'd need to risk Odin's death to wake him now. Heimdall studied Hong Fei's face, then nodded once. His sword scraped free—
"Wait!"
Thor's bark froze him mid-motion. The gatekeeper raised an eyebrow.
Thor opened his mouth, but Jane's crimson glow flared, scattering his thoughts. He exhaled sharply.
"...Never mind. Proceed."
Hong Fei smiled without saying a word. The next moment, Heimdall's sword slammed home, and the Bifrost roared to life.
The four of them vanished in a brilliant multicolored flash, swept along the thick beam of light toward Midgard—Earth among the Nine Realms. Back in the dungeon, Loki slammed his palms against the energy barrier, tears and snot streaking his face, his voice ragged from screaming.
London. The Bifrost bridge streaked down from the heavens, slamming into the center of a public square.
Pigeons scattered in panic from their ground foraging. Nearby tourists feeding birds shrieked and fled—though some bold souls immediately whipped out their phones. As the rainbow glow dissipated, Hong Fei stood clad once more in his full iron armor.
When the crowd got a clear look at Hong Fei's group, those who'd been running away came charging back even faster.
"Thor! It's Thor!"
"That's... the Dragon King!"
"And a female warrior? Who is she?"
"Is that Thor's girlfriend he's carrying? Thor actually has a girlfriend?"
"My heart's broken. The Dragon King's way hotter—"
"Wait, female warrior, why are you standing so close to him?"
Sif's head dipped slightly, fingers twitching toward her sword hilt. Thor winced at the chattering crowd and turned.
"Hong, maybe we should clear them out first?"
"Fine." Though it probably won't help much.
"You go find Darcy. I'll handle this."
Hong Fei shot skyward with Gungnir in hand. The spear shimmered into pure white, its tip condensing light into near-solid form. At altitude, he swung the weapon sideways—it sliced through reality itself as a colossal golden radiance erupted skyward, accompanied by a dragon's roar that shook the city.
The thunderous detonation scattered golden shards across the sky. A dragon's silhouette momentarily blotted out the sun before the light fragments coalesced into hovering text above London:
ALIENS INVADING. FLEE.
Rendered in bold Songti-style Chinese characters. Can't read it? Master Hong's message is clear: Tough luck, it's your fate.
After this display, Hong Fei located Thor's direction and sprinted after them. Soon the group reached Darcy's temporary London flat. The door swung open to reveal Darcy spinning around, then scrambling to her feet.
"Thor! You're here! What's wrong with Jane?"
"She's not well," Thor muttered, already barging past to lay Jane on the bedroom bed, his worried gaze never leaving her.
Sif entered next. Darcy blinked.
"Uh, hi. I think I saw you in New Mexico?"
Sif offered a tight-lipped smile. Then Hong Fei strode in.
Darcy immediately cranked up a full-face grin, even bowing.
"Mr. Hong! You're back too?"
"Present, not returned," Hong Fei said as he walked past. Behind him, Darcy stuck out her tongue, silently mouthing his words back at him.
Before he'd even cleared the entryway, Hong Fei heard steel rasp from a scabbard inside, followed by Dr. Erik Selvig's panicked yelp: "Don't kill me! I'm a good guy! I saw you in New Mexico too!"
Hong Fei quickened his pace. The scene that greeted him made his lips twitch. Sif's sword tip pressed against Dr. Selvig's chin, forcing the scientist to tilt his head back in terror. The real comedy came from Selvig's outfit—checkered shirt on top, but below? White briefs. Hairy legs stuffed into argyle socks and leather shoes.
Hong Fei burst out laughing.
"Sif, he really is harmless."
Sif immediately sheathed her blade, turning her back on the trembling scientist.
Erik Selvig shot Hong Fei a look that bordered on reproach.
"In Asgard," he grumbled, "showing up dressed like that would earn you a whipping before they tossed you in the dungeons."
Hong Fei nodded sagely.
"Sounds like a perfectly reasonable rule to me."
Only then did Sif's lips curve into a faint smile.
Hong Fei tilted his head, eyeing Selvig's attire.
"Professor, why are you dressed so... liberally?"
"Ah, well," Selvig cleared his throat, "it helps me think more clearly."
"Does your family know about this little habit? Should I give them a heads-up?"
Selvig's eyes widened. Without another word, he spun on his heel and bolted for his room.
"Excuse me," he called over his shoulder, "I think I need to put on some pants."
The door clicked shut, and Sif finally turned to face the room. Darcy scurried over, gesturing for Sif and Hong Fei to take a seat.
As the two settled side by side, Darcy's eyes darted between them with a mischievous glint. Sif raised an eyebrow.
"You have something to ask?"
"Me? No, nothing at all."
Darcy waved her hands dismissively.
"I'll just... grab some water for you."
She turned and hurried off, though half the day passed without any sign of her return. Hong Fei half suspected she'd flown to another country to fetch it. Meanwhile, Dr. Erik Selvig reappeared, now appropriately clad in pants.
He stood awkwardly in front of Hong Fei and Sif, fidgeting with his hands and avoiding eye contact. Hong Fei leaned back casually, crossing his legs.
"Dr. Selvig," he began with an amused smirk, "I heard you went streaking? Made it on TV, too?"
"Ahem!"
Selvig erupted into a coughing fit. Sif's gaze sharpened, her expression shifting to something akin to a police officer ready to apprehend—or eliminate—a pervert on the spot.
"That wasn't streaking!"
Selvig protested, waving his hands frantically.
"I was investigating evidence. You see, Stonehenge has been experiencing anomalies for some time now. I detected unusual data there. To prevent external interference, I... removed my clothes."
He took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
"I've nearly cracked the theory of the Convergence—the merging of the Nine Realms. The gravitational anomalies you encountered before? That's because the Nine Realms have begun to merge. But this is just the beginning."
Selvig's voice grew more animated.
"Based on my calculations, when the Convergence fully occurs, spatial tunnels will form. Not like the ones in New York last time—"
A side door creaked open, interrupting him. Thor stepped into the room. Hong Fei glanced at him.
"How is she?"
Thor's brow furrowed.
"Stable for now, but I don't know how long that will last."
Selvig greeted him with a nod.
"Thor, long time no see. Where's your brother?"
"Loki?" Thor's eyes widened as he slapped his forehead. "I just realized—we forgot to bring him! He's always full of tricks. He might even have some ideas to help us now."
Selvig blinked.
"Where is he?"
"In jail," Thor replied matter-of-factly.
Selvig couldn't suppress a grin.
"That's wonderful..."
Thor shot him a look. Selvig's face twitched.
"...Uh, I mean, that's truly terrible."
At that moment, Hong Fei stood abruptly.
"You all stay here. I'll go arrange for personnel."
He exited the building and soared through the cloud layer. With one hand, he twirled Gungnir, tracing elegant patterns in the air.
"Report," he commanded.
"Boss," came the reply, "Mr. Frank Castle and Jessica Jones have gone to London. Mr. Xu is leading us here in New York."
"Any problems?"
"Well... not with the arrangements. But a mage claiming to be your friend delivered a gift for you."
"A gift? What is it?"
"A model of a building. It looks a bit like your property in New York..."
Alright then, this is undoubtedly Ancient One's counter-threat. But you're thousands of years old, and you actually want to steal my dragon bones... pah, my dragon bones?