Thunder, Uno, and the End of Peace

Early Afternoon

Inside the little lab, serenity ruled. The soft hum of computers. A warm breeze drifting through open windows. And around a folding table in the back office…

Uno cards.

"+4 to Tony," Kai announced, slapping the card down with a victorious grin.

Tony groaned and drew his cards. "You know this is the dumbest game in the universe, right?"

"You say that every time you lose," Kai replied, grinning.

Thor leaned over his cards, massive fingers struggling to hold the tiny colored rectangles. "Explain again… why does a blue two beat a green skip?"

Jane, sipping tea nearby, chuckled. "It doesn't, Thor. You don't beat it. You match it."

Darcy chimed in, holding a small notepad. "Pretty sure he's trying to forge an Uno-based battle strategy. I respect that."

They were laughing. Relaxed.

It was, for once, normal.

Until—

Suddenly, a spiral of light tore through the clouds above the desert. Wind blasted through the town. Debris flew. Locals screamed.

A circle of pure energy seared into the earth just beyond the ridge.

Kai leapt to his feet, cards scattering.

"Was that…?" he started.

Thor was already up, eyes wide. "The Bifrost."

"From Asgard?" Jane asked, stepping to the window.

In the glowing aftermath, four figures stepped from the crater, each in gleaming armor.

A massive warrior with a braided beard and axe: Volstagg.

A slender, graceful man with dual blades: Fandral.

A stoic warrior in golden plate: Hogun.

And the fierce shieldmaiden with storm in her eyes: Lady Sif.

Thor whispered, "My friends."

The Warriors Three and Sif

The four Asgardians marched through the stunned outskirts of town, ignoring the SHIELD agents scrambling for explanations.

Locals filmed the scene. "Are they actors?" one woman asked, ducking behind a pickup.

Volstagg shouted, "We seek Thor Odinson, son of Odin!"

"Stand aside, mortals!" Fandral added. "We come not for conquest, but for kin!"

SHIELD agents surrounded them in seconds. Guns raised. Confused orders barked.

That's when Sif stepped forward, spear in hand.

"We will not be delayed."

Before a shot could be fired, another rift opened in the sky—smaller, colder.

From the depths of space, a towering black figure descended.

Smooth metal. A faceless helm. Glowing slits where eyes should be.

It landed with a seismic crack, flames erupting beneath its feet.

The Destroyer had come.

In the control van, Agent Coulson paled. "Everyone fall back! That thing's not with the others!"

The Destroyer unleashed a beam of white-hot energy, vaporizing a jeep and sending SHIELD agents flying.

Screams filled the air.

The street exploded into chaos.

The explosion shook the windows.

Jane gasped. "What was that?!"

Tony and Kai were already in motion. Tony tapped his chest, activating a signal. A panel burst open in a nearby case—his portable armor module.

"Party time," he muttered, the Mark VI plates snapping over his arms and chest.

Kai glanced at the Omnitrix. "Guess my nap's canceled."

He slammed it down.

Click. Spin. Slam.

Green light engulfed him—and he transformed into XLR8, his speedster alien form, claws flexing, visor shimmering.

Thor stood between them, chest rising with purpose.

"No more hiding," he said. "No more waiting. This is where I stand."

The three of them burst through the lab doors.

As they crossed the ridge and entered the battlefield, all eyes turned.

Civilians hiding behind cars peeked out.

SHIELD agents parted instinctively.

Even the Asgardians stopped mid-charge.

Because there they were:

Iron Man, red and gold gleaming under desert light.

XLR8, alien and wild, claws tapping the road as he zoomed in.

And Thor, no longer hiding his identity, walking with stormlight in his eyes.

Jane watched from afar, heart pounding.

This was what legends looked like.

"Thor!" Sif called out, breaking ranks.

Volstagg beamed. "Brother!"

Fandral waved. "You live!"

Thor raised his hand. "Friends! I am well!"

They approached—but their joy faltered as the Destroyer turned toward them, its chest beginning to glow again.

Hogun narrowed his eyes. "Loki."

Thor tensed. "He sent it."

Kai zipped beside him. "You sure?"

"Only the King of Asgard can command the Destroyer. With Odin in the Odinsleep... my brother wears the crown."

Tony scanned it. "That thing's a walking furnace. Whatever it's aiming at next—it's not gonna walk away."

The Destroyer turned toward them.

Its helm opened.

And a column of plasma erupted toward their formation.

"MOVE!" Tony shouted.

Thor shoved Kai aside just as the blast obliterated the road behind them.

Kai, back in human form from the hit, groaned. "Okay. That was not fun."

Tony hovered above, repulsors blazing. "We've got civilians five blocks over. Sif, can your people hold the line?"

Sif nodded. "We will protect the town."

Kai stood again, brushing dust from his hoodie. "Then let's do what we do best."

He tapped the Omnitrix again. "Hero time."

The green flash returned—this time forming Diamondhead, crystal armor refracting light as he stepped forward.

Thor cracked his knuckles, fire in his gaze.

"I came to reclaim who I am. I will not run."

He looked back at Kai and Tony.

"Stand with me?"

Tony grinned. "Always."

Kai gave a thumbs-up. "Try not to hog all the glory."

Thor smirked—and then charged into the battlefield, hammerless, fearless.

Behind him, Tony soared into the sky.

Kai leapt forward, crystals forming blades along his arms.

The Destroyer turned toward them.

And the battle for Puente Antiguo truly began.