608

[Dark Elves]

In the desolate reaches of the universe, darkness and vacuum reigned supreme, surrounding a massive warship that hovered ominously.

The warship drifted silently through the void, resembling an ancient relic though it was anything but.

Suddenly, as if awakened from a long slumber by an unseen call, structures on the warship flickered to life.

Rows of coffin-like containers lined the ship's interior, each opening in succession to reveal slumbering Dark Elves within.

Most Dark Elves were clad in armor, protecting themselves from the harmful external light, but a few powerful individuals, including their leader Malekith, did not wear armor.

Pale-skinned Malekith stirred from his sleep and immediately noticed his most loyal subordinate. "Ogham, you're awake too."

"Yes." Ogham, tall with a long braid, replied.

Malekith mused, "It's the Aether that's awakened us... after five thousand years, it's time for our bodies to reunite."

"What shall we do?" Ogham inquired.

"Return to Svartalfheim. Let's visit our long-lost homeland," Malekith ordered, directing the awakened Dark Elf soldiers to navigate the warship towards Svartalfheim.

Five millennia earlier, the Dark Elves had been vanquished by Asgard, but Svartalfheim remained unoccupied, detested by all save for its dark denizens.

Now, the Dark Elves returned to their birthplace, finding solace in the familiar darkness, though the once grand structures lay in ruins.

Malekith wandered amidst the debris, accompanied by Ogham.

He scanned the surroundings as if searching for something specific.

After a while, Malekith discovered what he sought—a seemingly ordinary dark red stone amidst the mud and debris: "My cursed stone... I haven't forgotten the Age of No Light, when Dark Elves ruled supreme."

"The Dark Elves will reclaim their rightful place, plunging the universe into darkness once more," Ogham declared firmly.

"I will make the Asgardians pay for their blood debt!" Malekith's voice trembled with determination. Turning to Ogham, he added, "Only you can undertake this crucial task, becoming a mighty warrior of the curse."

Without hesitation, Ogham replied, "For the Dark Elves, I will sacrifice everything!"

Malekith took a deep breath, clutching the Cursed Stone in one hand and drawing a dagger with the other, pointing it towards Ogham.

Ogham's gaze remained resolute as Malekith plunged the dagger into him, uttering fiercely, "For the greatness of the Dark Elves!"

---

[Abandoned Warehouse]

Jane Foster woke abruptly from unconsciousness in the abandoned warehouse. She rubbed her groggy forehead, surveying her surroundings with confusion.

Struggling to recollect, she vaguely remembered falling into a peculiar space during the experiment, then succumbing to darkness enveloped in a crimson glow.

"Jane!" Daisy's panicked voice pierced through the air.

Jane quickly rose, hurrying outside to find Daisy frantically searching for her. "I'm here."

Daisy's relief was palpable. "You scared me. I thought I'd lost you forever... Are you alright?"

"I think so." Jane Foster shook her head, about to explain when...

Boom!

A dazzling rainbow beam descended suddenly, accompanied by thunderous vibrations, abruptly halting their conversation.

They stood in stunned silence, gazing at the unexpected phenomenon.

As the light dissipated, a blond man wielding a war hammer materialized before them.

Upon seeing Jane again, Thor couldn't contain his emotions, enveloping her in a tight embrace. "Jane, I'm back!"

Startled, Jane struggled in his embrace, her fear turning to anger. In an instinctive reaction, a dark red energy surged from her palm, striking Thor squarely in the face.

Boom!

Thor was caught off guard, propelled backwards and crashing into a nearby structure.

The sight left Daisy and even Jane herself astounded.

"How did you do that?" Daisy blurted out.

"I...," Jane looked at her palm in disbelief, unsure of the power that had surged through her.

Thor rose from the rubble, holding his face, "It's me, Jane. I'm Donald."

Initially skeptical, Jane scrutinized him closely, realizing the striking resemblance to Donald.

"I remember now," Thor continued earnestly, "Remember what I told you? I'd return as someone different."

Jane Foster, overwhelmed with conflicting emotions, recalled the moment when Donald, under dire circumstances, had unleashed an incredible thunderous power, repelling Dr. Lizard and drawing the attention of god-like beings.

"You... you're really Donald?" Jane's disbelief melted into realization as she looked into Thor's eyes, now filled with recognition.

"He's finally returned," she thought.

Jane Foster stepped forward.

Thor smiled warmly, arms outstretched for a reunion.

Crack!

Unexpectedly, Jane slapped him across the face, though this time devoid of any terrifying power.

"Why did you come back now?" she demanded, her voice tinged with anger and hurt.

"I..." Thor faltered, then sighed, "I'll explain everything, but first, I must take you to Asgard."

"Asgard?" Jane was taken aback.

"My home," Thor embraced Jane, "There's a dormant power within you that poses a great danger."

Before Jane could respond, the Rainbow Bridge materialized once more, enveloping them both, and in an instant, they stood within the grandeur of the Rainbow Bridge Hall in Asgard.

"This..." Jane gazed around in awe, greeted by the majestic splendor of Asgard and the solemn figure of Heimdallr before her.