Chapter 32: The Arrival of the Exiled Prince
Chapter 32: The Arrival of the Exiled Prince
June 1, 2010 – Manhattan, New York
The night was quiet, the rhythmic hum of New York City a familiar backdrop to the glow of the skyline. From the top floor of WHA Tower, Edward Lin sat in his private study, a glass of aged whiskey in hand, eyes scanning the latest intelligence reports on his holographic display.
His presence was shadowed, hidden behind the movements of corporations, politics, and clandestine operations. Every piece of information flowed through his network, whether from WHA intelligence, Stark Industries stock fluctuations, or SHIELD's classified reports.
The world moved in patterns, and Edward had spent decades guiding it subtly, ensuring no major deviations threw the future off course.
But then—
A fluctuation.
His golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Something shifted.
An energetic pulse, faint but not of Earthly origin, flickered in the fabric of reality. An alert flashed across his display, and an immediate red status warning appeared in WHA's global monitoring system.
Edward straightened, setting his glass down as a priority alert pinged on his console.
ALERT: UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT ENTERING EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE
TRAJECTORY: NEW MEXICO, UNITED STATES
IMPACT ESTIMATED IN 90 SECONDS
His mind immediately connected the dots.
A banishment.
Odin's exiled son, Thor Odinson, was about to crash onto Earth.
Edward exhaled, already pulling up real-time tracking feeds as WHA's orbital satellites began logging the descent.
"It's time," he murmured.
The Norse Prince had arrived.
---
June 1, 2010 – WHA Operations Command, WHA Tower
The command center of the World Heroes Association erupted into action. Operatives, analysts, and field coordinators moved with precision, following rapid orders as real-time footage of the UFO's descent filled the room.
Edward stood at the center of the command deck, his presence absolute as he dictated operations.
"Deploy a recon unit to the landing site immediately."
A mission directive appeared on the holo-table.
MISSION: EXTRATERRESTRIAL EVENT RESPONSE
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: SECURE CRASH SITE
SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: COOPERATE WITH SHIELD, PROTECT CIVILIANS
"I want three of our best heroes on the ground within the hour."
Evelyn Lin nodded. "Confirmed. Team selection in progress."
On the selection screen, profiles of WHA's top operatives scrolled past.
DEPLOYMENT TEAM SELECTED:
Valeria Monroe – WHA Elite Agent, Tactical Combat Specialist
Dash – Enhanced Speedster, Rapid Response Specialist
Titan – Heavy Assault Operative, Powerful Raw Strength
Edward glanced at the team composition and nodded. "Good selection. Send them out immediately."
A secondary alert chimed.
SHIELD RESPONSE UNIT CONFIRMED – AGENT PHIL COULSON EN ROUTE
S.H.I.E.L.D. SPECIALIST CLINT BARTON (HAWKEYE) DISPATCHED
Edward expected SHIELD's involvement. He knew Coulson was reliable, and Hawkeye's presence meant Fury was taking this seriously.
Two organizations—one objective.
They would cooperate.
But WHA would remain ahead.
---
June 1, 2010 – Impact Site, Puente Antiguo, New Mexico
The heat from the impact zone still radiated through the desert air.
The crater was deep, smoldering against the cold New Mexico night, steam rising as sand sizzled against an object that had no business being on Earth.
A massive hammer lay embedded in the rock.
Mjolnir.
WHA operatives arrived first, their sleek black SUVs tearing through the dusty roads, stopping just outside the perimeter of the impact. Drones hovered overhead, scanning the object, sending real-time data back to WHA Command.
Valeria Monroe was the first to step out, her silver combat suit gleaming against the dust-covered environment. Her eyes scanned the crater, assessing the situation with methodical precision.
Behind her, Dash appeared in a blur of movement, his boots skidding slightly on the gravel.
"This is definitely not from around here," he remarked, gazing at the hammer.
A voice cut through their comms.
"Secure the perimeter. Cooperate with SHIELD. Ensure local authorities are assisted with civilian evacuation."
Edward's direct orders.
Valeria responded instantly. "Understood."
She turned to the WHA field teams. "Evacuate the nearest village. We're making sure no one gets caught in whatever's coming."
Dash was already gone, moving at supersonic speed, heading to warn the villagers in Puente Antiguo.
---
S.H.I.E.L.D. Arrival – Tensions & Cooperation
The sound of approaching helicopters signaled SHIELD's entry.
The dust storm kicked up as multiple black SUVs rolled in, the SHIELD insignia reflecting in the moonlight.
Leading them, Agent Phil Coulson stepped out, sunglasses still perched on his nose, surveying the WHA presence.
Beside him, Clint Barton—Hawkeye—perched on one of the SUVs, observing from a higher vantage point, bow already in hand.
Coulson adjusted his suit. "Guess we're not the first ones here."
Valeria stepped forward. "We were expecting you."
Coulson smirked slightly. "Of course you were."
The tension was there, but both organizations were too professional to let it become a hindrance.
"WHA is already securing the perimeter," Valeria continued. "We've got local evacuations underway. Your team can set up containment."
Coulson nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
For once, SHIELD and WHA worked in unison.
---
The Arrival of the Exiled Prince
Less than a mile away.
In the dark outskirts of the desert, a lone figure staggered through the empty wilderness.
Thor Odinson, stripped of his divine power, banished to Midgard, stumbled as he made his way through the unfamiliar terrain.
His Asgardian robes were tattered, his boots dragging through the sand.
For the first time in centuries, the God of Thunder was weak.
Human.
And he had no idea what fate had in store for him.
---
Edward's Final Command
From his penthouse in Manhattan, Edward watched the real-time footage of the crater.
He saw Mjolnir, untouched, waiting for the one worthy to wield it.
He saw Thor, lost, directionless, walking toward his first real trial as a mortal.
Edward closed his eyes, exhaling.
Everything was in place.
He tapped his comm.
"Monitor Thor from a distance. Let the events unfold. But if the trajectory veers too far from what is necessary… we will adjust accordingly."
Evelyn's voice responded. "Understood."
Edward leaned back in his chair.
The future was still on course.
But from here on out, the battles would only grow bigger.
And WHA would ensure Earth survived them all.
---
June 1, 2010 – Puente Antiguo, New Mexico
The desert wind howled, carrying dust and debris across the abandoned roads of the small, isolated town of Puente Antiguo. The town, little more than a collection of aging structures, had been quiet until tonight.
Now?
It was a focal point for something far greater than any of its residents could have imagined.
At the edge of town, World Heroes Association operatives moved swiftly, working alongside SHIELD to secure civilian safety and containment procedures.
From the air, WHA drones hovered silently, scanning for potential threats. A coordinated evacuation effort was underway, with operatives assisting local law enforcement to relocate civilians away from the impact zone where the mysterious hammer had landed.
Not far from the secured perimeter, a figure stumbled into the town, disoriented and weak.
Thor Odinson, former prince of Asgard, now a mere mortal, his body bearing the exhaustion of a banishment he never saw coming.
His bare feet dragged against the rough desert road, his tattered Asgardian robes coated in dust, his long golden hair matted with sweat. Confusion burned in his deep blue eyes, his mind still reeling from the last thing he remembered—his father's disappointed gaze, the blinding flash of the Bifrost, and then… falling.
Now he was here.
Alone.
Lost.
For the first time in centuries… powerless.
---
WHA & SHIELD - Securing the Crash Site
Back at the crater, the combined presence of SHIELD and WHA had the situation under control.
Valeria Monroe stood with Phil Coulson, overseeing the joint operation. Dash zipped between locations, assisting where needed. Titan, the heavy assault specialist, stood as a silent sentinel near the hammer.
"Looks like an organized response," Coulson remarked, his eyes scanning the efficient movement of WHA teams. "You guys were fast."
Valeria gave him a brief glance. "We usually are."
From a distance, Clint Barton—Hawkeye—was stationed on a rooftop, his bow drawn, his sharp eyes tracking every movement near the mysterious object embedded in the crater.
"Still no one able to lift it?" Dash asked as he appeared beside Valeria.
"Nope," she replied. "It hasn't budged an inch. Even SHIELD's heavy machinery isn't making a dent."
Coulson sighed. "That complicates things. Fury isn't going to like it when I tell him we've got an alien object we can't move."
Valeria studied the hammer, her sharp mind already piecing together what Edward Lin had hinted at in his briefings.
They knew what this was.
And who it belonged to.
But now?
It was a waiting game.
"Any sign of our 'guest' yet?" Coulson asked.
Dash smirked. "Oh, he's here. He just hasn't introduced himself yet."
---
Thor's First Encounter with Mortals
Staggering into town, Thor barely registered his surroundings. His breathing was ragged, his mind a storm of emotions—anger, confusion, desperation.
"Where am I?"
"What has my father done?"
"How could he do this to me?"
His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the pavement, gasping.
A soft voice broke through the haze.
"Hey—hey, are you alright?"
Thor blinked blearily, trying to focus.
A group of locals had gathered, staring at him. Among them, a woman with dark hair and concerned eyes knelt beside him—Jane Foster, a brilliant astrophysicist who had been studying the anomalies in the sky.
Beside her, Darcy Lewis clutched her taser, eyeing the disheveled man suspiciously.
"Uh, Jane? He looks kinda crazy."
"He's not crazy," Jane murmured, studying him intently. "He's… something else."
Thor, still dazed, barely registered the words.
But then, something inside him stirred.
A flicker of distant recognition.
His gaze locked onto the horizon, his heart pounding.
He could feel it.
Something was calling to him.
Something his.
"I must go," he rasped, forcing himself to stand despite the weakness in his limbs.
Jane frowned. "Go where?"
Thor's eyes darkened with determination.
"To my hammer."
---
Edward Lin Observes From Afar
From his high-rise penthouse in Manhattan, Edward watched everything unfold.
His holographic displays projected real-time feeds from WHA operatives, relaying the status of Thor's arrival, the hammer's presence, and SHIELD's ongoing containment efforts.
Everything was proceeding as expected.
But Edward knew one thing for certain—Thor's trial had only just begun.
The real test?
It was still ahead.
He tapped his fingers against his desk, issuing his final command for the night.
"Maintain observation. Do not interfere unless absolutely necessary."
A pause.
"And ensure that Stark remains unaware of this event for now."
Evelyn Lin's voice responded, steady as always. "Understood."
Edward exhaled slowly, watching as the banished prince took his first steps toward redemption.
The game was still moving.
But soon, the board would change forever.
---
To Be Continued…