Chapter 5

The first rays of dawn painted the New Mexico sky in shades of amber and gold, stirring Thor from his rest by the dying embers of the fire pit. The desert air carried a sharp chill even if this part of the realm could reach high temperatures. Jane remained peacefully asleep in her chair, her research notebook still clutched protectively against her chest, pages fluttering gently in the morning breeze.

Thor rose silently, his movements deliberate and careful as he gathered Jane into his arms. Even without his normal strength, he carried her with ease, mindful not to wake her as he made his way into the building. Inside, Selvig's snores echoed through the small space, a testament to their shared drinks from the night before. Thor placed Jane gently on her bed, allowing himself one last look at her peaceful expression before turning away.

Outside, the town lay quiet, unknowing of the destruction that would soon visit its streets. Thor began a methodical patrol of the area, his warrior's mind cataloging defensive positions and evacuation routes. Each storefront, each alley, each gathering place could become either a shelter or a deathtrap once the Destroyer arrived. He had seen this battle before, in that other timeline, and the knowledge weighed heavily upon him

As he spent some time doing this suddenly he saw four out-of-place figures walking purposefully down the town's main street. His heart swelled at the sight of his oldest friends, even as dread settled in his stomach. Their arrival meant the Destroyer would not be far behind.

Volstagg's booming laugh carried across the empty street, echoing off the modest buildings of "Found you!"

"My friends!" Thor called out, stepping forward to meet them. Sif, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg the sight of them made his chest ache with memories of battles yet unfought, sacrifices yet unmade. Remembering all too vividly how each of them would fall in the battles to come. Fandral and Volstagg, swiftly cut down by Hela as she made her first devastating entrance into Asgard. Hogun, bravely rallying Asgardian soldiers only to be overwhelmed by Hela's power in a direct confrontation. And Sif... at least she would survive.

"This is good, we have missed you!" Volstagg declared, spreading his arms wide. His red beard caught the morning light as he grinned. "We'll tell stories of this day when we trav-"

"There isn't time," Thor declared, his voice carrying a new kind of authority that commanded their immediate attention. Gone was the headstrong prince who might have once reveled loudly at their reunion. In his stead was someone who realized what needed to be done. His transformation was unmistakable, drawing a mix of deference and confusion from his companions.

"Thor?" Sif queried, her tone laden with both respect and worry. She scrutinized his visage with the same sharp eyes that had always distinguished her as a formidable ally. Her eyes narrowed, observing the gravity that now marked his posture. "What has happened?"

"My friends, today we face a grave challenge. Something powerful approaches, and we must confront it to protect this place, and it's people." Thor's eyes met each of theirs in turn. " I need your help."

"Of course!" Fandral stepped forward, hand on his sword hilt. His usually carefree expression had turned serious, responding to Thor's urgency. "Whatever battle you face-"

"It is a test," Thor interrupted again, "one I must face. But more than anything, I need you to ensure the safety of the people here. Your skills are crucial now." The memory of his previous confrontation with the Destroyer flashed through his mind the devastation, the casualties he hadn't been able to prevent in his arrogance. This time would be different.

The Warriors Three exchanged confused glances, but Sif's eyes narrowed further. She had always been the most perceptive of his friends, the quickest to sense when something was amiss. "Thor, you're different. What happened to you?"

Thor almost smiled at that. How could he explain what he had seen? The fall of Asgard, the deaths of his father and mother, the betrayal and redemption of his brother, the devastating failure against Thanos events that hadn't happened yet, might never happen now, but which had shaped him nonetheless.

"There's no time to explain," Thor said, already moving toward Jane's lab. He strode purposefully down the street, his friends falling into step behind him. "We must evacuate the town. When it comes-"

"When what comes?" Hogun asked, speaking for the first time. The grim warrior's hand had already moved to his mace, ready for whatever threat approached.

Thor paused, looking up at the clear morning sky. The desert air was still, but he could almost feel the approaching storm not of weather, but of violence. "The Destroyer."

Their reactions were immediate hands flying to weapons, bodies tensing for battle. They knew well the destructive power of Odin's automaton. Thor had seen it in action before, had fought alongside it in battles across the Nine Realms. But now it would come as an enemy, a weapon turned against the very people it was meant to protect.

"Loki," Sif breathed, understanding dawning on her face. Her fingers tightened on her spear as she spoke his brother's name. "Loki sent it, didn't he?"

Thor nodded solemnly at Sif's question, confirming her suspicions. The group's tension palpably increased with the mention of Loki. As they absorbed the gravity of the situation, Volstagg grumbled, his usual jovial demeanor clouded with disdain.

"You never trust a seidr," Volstagg declared, his voice heavy with contempt. "People who would rather throw spells at someones back instead of meeting them head-to-head in battle. It's always the way with those fellas scheming and sneaking."

Thor remained silent, mulling over Volstagg's harsh judgment. Though he disagreed with the blanket distrust of magic and those who wielded it knowing well the complexities of such powers and their practitioners, he chose not to voice his objections. Time was of the essence, and every moment spent in debate was a moment lost in preparation for the imminent threat. His focus remained fixed on the task at hand, his resolve clear despite the undercurrents of division in their ranks.

Inside the lab, Jane was already awake, intently reviewing her notes from their conversation the night before. Darcy lounged nearby, her fingers flying over her phone, while Erik slowly sipped his coffee, nursing the remnants of what had been a magnificent hangover from their drinking contest the night before.

Thor entered the room with urgency, yet his tone carried a measured calmness. "You need to move quickly," he said, addressing them directly. "It's not safe here anymore. I need all of you to evacuate as soon as possible."

"What? Why?" Jane started to protest, rising from her chair with that familiar determination in her eyes.

Thor cut her off with a gentleness that surprised even himself, remembering all too well the price of her curiosity. "Please, Jane. Trust me in this. Take Erik and Darcy and drive as far from town as you can." He then turned to his Asgardian comrades, falling naturally into the role of a leader honed by centuries of command. "Sif, Volstagg, help me clear the main street of civilians and prepare to duel against the destroyer."

Addressing Fandral and Hogun, he added with a strategic tone, "Coordinate with the local guards. If they do not heed your words about the danger, show them a display of your strength just enough to convince, not to threaten. We need their cooperation swiftly to ensure everyone's safety."

The next half hour passed in organized chaos as they evacuated the town. Thor moved with purpose, his intimate knowledge of what was coming causing him great stress. He didn't explain how he knew where to look or who to save there wasn't time. The sun climbed higher in the sky as they worked, casting long shadows across the desert town.

He directed Fandral to clear the diner he had eaten at yesterday, sent Hogun to evacuate the local school where children had gathered. Each life saved was a victory in his book, each person cleared from the coming battlefield a small triumph against destiny itself.

The explosion came just as Thor was helping an elderly couple into their car, their frightened faces only made him act quicker to ensure that they were sent off to safety.

The 7-Eleven on the corner erupted in a geyser of flame and debris, and through the smoke strode the Destroyer, its metallic face gleaming in the sun. Thor watched as his friends moved into battle formation, their centuries of fighting together evident in every coordinated step.

Sif took point, her double-bladed sword catching the sunlight. The Warriors Three spread out around her, each warrior ready with their signature weapon. They moved with supernatural grace, their Asgardian heritage evident in every fluid motion.

"For Asgard!" Sif's battle cry rang out as she launched the first attack. Her blade whistled through the air with impossible speed, striking at the Destroyer's joints. The metal giant barely seemed to notice, its armor unmarred by her strike.

Fandral darted in next, his movements a blur of precision and skill. His sword found gaps in the Destroyer's plating that would have crippled any mortal foe, but against Odin's creation, even his masterful swordsmanship proved ineffective.

Volstagg's mighty axe came crashing down with earth-shaking force, the impact sending tremors through the street. The Destroyer stumbled back half a step, but its armor remained unblemished. Hogun's mace followed immediately after, striking the same spot with devastating precision, yet still failing to leave a mark.

The four warriors moved in perfect synchronization, their attacks flowing like a deadly dance. Sif vaulted over Volstagg's shoulders, her blade seeking the Destroyer's face while the others targeted its legs. Their speed was beyond human comprehension, centuries of training evident in every strike.

But the Destroyer was built to withstand the powers of gods themselves. Despite their incredible skill and supernatural abilities, their weapons couldn't penetrate its ancient armor. It stood immovable, like a mountain facing the wind.

Then Sif made her move. With a warrior's grace that had always made her one of the deadliest of Asgard's warriors, she used Volstagg's as a springboard, launching herself high into the air. Her sword struck true, piercing straight through the Destroyer's neck. For a moment, it seemed to work the mechanical giant stumbled, its head lolling at an awkward angle.

But Thor knew what came next. "MOVE!"

The warning came just in time. Sif leaped clear as the Destroyer's head rotated completely around, its face reforming as its body turned to follow. The blast it unleashed sent his friends flying, scattering them across the battlefield like leaves in a storm. They landed hard but alive Thor could see them moving, trying to regain their feet.

The battle had reached its turning point, with Sif and the Warriors Three's most valiant effort proving insufficient against a weapon forged by Odin himself

Thor stood alone in the devastated street, the approaching Destroyer casting long shadows in the morning light. Time seemed to slow as memories crashed over him like waves against Asgard's shores not just of battles fought, but of faces lost. His mother's gentle wisdom, forever silenced. His father's final words, carried away on the winds of Norway. His people scattered across the cosmos, their golden realm reduced to ashes. Each memory cut deeper than any blade, yet instead of weakening him, they crystallized into something stronger.

The Destroyer's next step sent tremors through the earth, its metal frame gleaming with deadly purpose. Thor could feel the heat building in its core, the promise of obliteration in its gathering energy. Yet he remained unmoved, his mind reaching past the present moment into both past and future.

He saw himself as he had been brash, arrogant, wielding power without wisdom. He saw what he would become broken by loss, drowning his failures in drink and comedy, hiding from his own worthiness. But here, now, he could choose a different path. The visions that had haunted him since touching Mjölnir weren't just warnings, they were a gift. A chance to rewrite not just his story, but the story of all those he had failed to protect.

"Father," he spoke, his voice carrying a heavy weight. "I understand now. The lesson wasn't about being worthy of the hammer. It was about being worthy of the responsibility that comes with power."

The Destroyer's chest began to glow with gathering energy, the air shimmering with deadly heat. Thor closed his eyes, reaching deep within himself. There, beneath Odin's bindings, lay something older than Asgard itself the pure essence of storm and sky that had been his birthright. The hammer had never granted him power; it had only helped him focus what was already there.

"A king protects his people," Thor continued, each word resonating with newfound clarity. "Not through strength alone, but through wisdom. Through sacrifice." His eyes opened, blazing blue with lightning for a brief, intense moment, reflecting the stormy power within him before returning to normal. "Through understanding that true power lies not in what we can do, but in what we choose to do with it."

The very air seemed to hold its breath. In that crystalline moment of perfect understanding, Thor felt something shift within him not just the breaking of Odin's seal, but the shattering of his own limitations. Storm clouds materialized from the clear sky, darkness swallowing the sun as ancient power awakened.

Thor's essence unleashed itself. The air vibrated with palpable tension, heralding his understated yet formidable awakening. The ground trembled, resonating with his escalating energy. Tiny rocks and debris began to levitate, forming a slight halo around him, driven by the force of his powers, he was no longer just the prince of Asgard; he was Thor, a God, embodying both wisdom and power in balance.

His voice, when it came, held the rumble of approaching storms: "MJÖLNIR!"

The hammer responded instantly, bursting from its spot in the desert with such force that fortress around it exploded outward. Thor felt it coming, felt the surge of joy as his oldest companion raced toward him. His armor materialized around him, the familiar weight settling onto his body like coming home. Each plate, each scale formed from magic, transforming him from a mortal man back into the God of Thunder.

The Destroyer fired, its beam of pure energy racing toward Thor just as Mjolnir slapped into his outstretched hand. The leather grip felt perfect, as it always had. The hammer's song merged with the thunder overhead as Thor channeled the storm's fury. For a moment, he tried reaching for that deeper power he had discovered fighting Hela the ability to command lightning without Mjolnir's focus. But that skill lay in his future still; for now, the hammer would serve.

Thor met the Destroyer's blast with Mjolnir, standing his ground as energy crackled around him. The force of the impact drove him back several feet, his boots leaving trenches in the pavement, but he held firm. With a mighty swing, he deflected the beam skyward, where it disappeared into the gathering storm clouds. Then he launched himself forward, Mjolnir leading the way.

"For Midgard!" he roared, bringing the hammer down with all his strength right on its chest. Lightning followed the blow, coursing through the Destroyer's metallic frame. The automaton staggered, its armor crackling with residual energy, its armor beginning to show signs of damage.

The Destroyer's metallic frame groaned as it rose, its chest cavity beginning to glow with deadly energy. Thor knew he had mere seconds to act. He spun Mjolnir at his side, gathering the storm's fury. The very air crackled with potential, static electricity making the hair on everyone's arms stand on end.

"Sif, Warriors Three fall back!" Thor commanded, his voice carrying over the growing winds. His friends hesitated for only a moment before following his order, recognizing the raw power building in the air around him.

Thor began to spin Mjolnir faster and faster, channeling not just the hammer's power but the very essence of the storms he had commanded for centuries. The sky above darkened to an almost unnatural degree, clouds spiraling inward like a cosmic drain. Wind began to whip through the streets, growing stronger with each rotation of Mjolnir.

The Destroyer fired its beam, but Thor was ready. He deflected the blast with Mjolnir while maintaining the building vortex. Debris began to lift from the ground first small pieces, then larger chunks of concrete and metal. The wind took on a visible form, a massive funnel of dust and power with Thor at its center.

The tornado fully formed, its base wider than a house and reaching up into the dark clouds above. The Destroyer, for all its massive weight, began to lose its footing. Its feet scraped against the pavement, leaving deep gouges as it fought against the inexorable pull of Thor's storm.

With a mighty swing of Mjolnir, Thor directed the full force of the tornado at the automaton. The Destroyer was finally lifted off its feet, pulled into the swirling vortex of wind and debris. Higher and higher it rose, its energy beams firing wildly through the maelstrom but finding no target.

Thor took to the air, Mjolnir pulling him up alongside his trapped opponent. The Destroyer tried to right itself, its face rotating to track Thor's movement, but the chaotic winds made it impossible. For the first time, the mechanical giant seemed truly vulnerable.

Thor roared to the heavens. He raised Mjolnir high above his head, no longer channeling the winds but calling to something far more deadly. The clouds above, already dark with power, began to pulse with internal light. The air grew thick with electricity, making every hair stand on end for miles around.

Lightning began to strike not one bolt but dozens, then hundreds. Each fork of lightning struck Mjolnir, charging it with more and more power. Thor's eyes blazed with pure white energy as he held the power of the storm within himself, letting it build to levels he had never before attempted.

The Destroyer, still caught in the tornado's grip, opened its faceplate fully. Energy gathered in its chest, preparing for one final, devastating blast. The light from its core rivaled Thor's lightning, promising complete annihilation.

But Thor struck first. With a battle cry that shook the earth below, he unleashed everything every bolt of lightning, every ounce of power, every bit of energy he had gathered. It all channeled through Mjolnir in a single, blinding beam of pure white lightning wider than the Destroyer itself.

The blast struck the automaton dead center. For a moment, the Destroyer's own energy beam tried to push back against Thor's attack. The two forces met in a catastrophic explosion of light and power. But Thor's lightning proved much stronger, overwhelming the Destroyer's defenses and tearing through its armored chest.

The tornado dissipated as Thor's focus shifted entirely to the lightning assault. The Destroyer began to fall, its metal frame now glowing white-hot from the continuous lightning strike. Thor followed it down, maintaining the devastating beam until the automaton crashed into the street below.

When the light finally faded and the dust settled, the Destroyer lay in a smoking crater, its chest torn open, its once-gleaming armor now scarred and melted. Small arcs of electricity still danced across its surface, but it would not rise again.

Thor stood over the fallen Destroyer, his heart heavy with understanding. He knew his brother was watching through the automaton's eyes, even now. Lightning still crackled around him, but his voice was gentle when he spoke.

"Brother, I know you are there" Thor said, his voice carrying both thunder and grief as he looked into the Destroyer's darkened face. "I see you now more clearly than I ever have before. I see through the eyes of someone who has finally learned what it means to lose everything."

Lightning flickered overhead, before quieting down. "The truth of your heritage... it only reaches me now, through whispers of magic and visions. Had I known..." Thor's voice caught for a moment, heavy with regret. "Had I known you were of Jotun blood, I would have tempered my hatred of them. I would have seen that they cannot all be the monsters of our childhood tales. How could they be, when you, my brother, share their blood?"

"You must think that by destroying them, you can destroy that part of yourself. That by proving yourself more Asgardian than even I, you can erase your origins." Thor's grip tightened on Mjölnir as he continued, "How bitter the irony must taste, brother. All those years I spoke of gloriously slaying Frost Giants, and now you plan to make that boast reality not out of pride, but out of desperation to prove yourself worthy of Asgard."

Thunder rumbled gently as Thor knelt beside the fallen Destroyer. "All these years, I thought I knew what strength was. I thought it meant proving myself through battle, through conquest. But you... you've had to prove yourself every day, haven't you? Every moment spent in my shadow, every jest about magic being lesser than might I see now how each word must have cut deeper than any blade."

"The purpose you seek so desperately... I've seen where that path leads, brother. It ends in flames and ruin for us both. But it doesn't have to. Come home. Not as Loki Laufeyson, hiding from his nature, but as Loki, Prince of Asgard, my brother who has always been more worthy than he knew."

Thor stood in silence after his words to Loki through the fallen Destroyer, hoping that somewhere in Asgard's golden halls, his message had reached his brother's heart. The Warriors Three and Sif gathered around him, their faces a mix of concern and relief at seeing their prince restored to his power.

His gaze drifted to the distant horizon where Jane's van had disappeared, carrying her to safety. For a moment, something tugged at his heart a glimpse of a different path, a different future. But the weight of his visions pressed heavily upon him, reminding him of all that was at stake.

Thor's grip tightened on Mjolnir as he steeled his resolve. The time for mortal concerns had passed. The Nine Realms needed him.

His voice carried the weight of thunder as he called out to the heavens:

"HEIMDALL!"