"Thor is still as violent as ever!"
"But… Asgard is going to be destroyed?"
"How is that even possible? Asgard isn't some ordinary place."
"Sounds like fearmongering to me."
"Then why would this image be shown? Something must be wrong!"
"Is Surtur really that terrifying? I don't see it."
"The Eternal Flame… Asgard really does have countless treasures."
"Relax. With Thor around, it should be fine."
"By the way, the last time we saw King Odin… wasn't that actually Loki in disguise? Hah! Thor still doesn't know."
"If this scene is being shown again, then it must be incredibly important. We shouldn't take it lightly."
The screen flickered and shifted.
Amid the relentless bombardment of countless monsters, Thor fought with effortless dominance. His movements were fluid yet devastating, each strike carrying overwhelming force. And yet, hidden within the shadows, something far more terrifying stirred. A colossal dragon lurked in the darkness; even Thor couldn't ignore it.
Surtur sensed the shift in momentum. With a furious roar, he raised his molten greatsword and slashed toward him.
Boom! A violent beam of fire erupted from the blade, tearing through the air.
Thor spun Mjolnir, summoning a shield of thunder to intercept the attack. The collision was cataclysmic. Flames and lightning clashed, tearing the space apart. Gritting his teeth, he charged straight through the blazing column.
Bang! With a deafening crack, Mjolnir shattered the beam of flame. In the next instant, Thor surged forward, his hammer crashing into Surtur's sword, knocking it aside. He twisted midair, leaping high before slamming directly into Surtur's massive horns. Thunder exploded. Under the relentless storm of blows, even Surtur was driven back, unable to retaliate.
Lightning raged across the battlefield. Thor soared upward, gathering an immense concentration of thunder within Mjolnir, and brought it down with unstoppable force. The strike crushed Surtur's head clean off. His crown-like horns tumbled to the ground, lifeless. Chains clattered as Thor bound the severed horns to Surtur's body. Yet even then, the battlefield was far from quiet. Monsters continued to surge from every direction.
Thor glanced up toward the sky. "Heimdall… I know it's been a while, but I could really use a fast exit."
As more creatures closed in, Thor raised Mjolnir, waiting for the familiar brilliance of the Rainbow Bridge, but nothing came.
"Heimdall?" Again and again, Thor tried to summon Heimdall. Still, no response.
There was silence.
In the live broadcast, the audience froze, and a chilling sense of dread spread.
"This… something's wrong with Asgard, isn't it?"
"Heimdall guards the Rainbow Bridge. He would never ignore a call!"
"Don't tell me… this is really Ragnarok?!"
"Hurry and bring Sol back! He can't hold out forever!"
"Wait, the Tesseract is also in Asgard, right?"
"Yes! The Tesseract is there, and the Aether is with the Collector…"
"But what could possibly threaten Asgard? Surtur is already defeated!"
"This scene is too important. It can't be that simple."
"If Asgard falls… everything else will follow."
Tension gripped everyone.
The scene shifted. At the end of the Rainbow Bridge, inside a vast spherical structure, Heimdall was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a bald warrior clad in armor stood there, flanked by two striking women.
"Heimdall was an idiot," the man scoffed, "This job should have made him rich. Now, the job ain't easy, but it does have its benefits."
He gestured lazily, as if explaining to his companions, "The bifost gives me access to everything the Nine Realms have to offer. I mean, it's all mine for the taking."
He stepped aside proudly, "Behold... My stuff."
The woman, "Ooh."
Piles of strange items surrounded him: electric vehicles, unfamiliar equipment, and weapons from distant worlds. Reaching into the heap, he pulled out two rifles.
"I'm particularly fond of these. I pulled them out of a place on Midgard called Texas." He grinned wildly. "I even named them, 'Des' and 'Troy.'"
The two women exchanged puzzled looks.
The man said, "You see, when you put them together... They destroy."
In the livestream, viewers erupted.
"Who is this idiot?!"
"Where is Heimdall?! How can someone like this be in charge?!"
"He's not dead… right?"
"Heimdall is too important for something like this to happen!"
"He's calling Earth weapons 'world destroyers'? Is he serious?!"
"Did someone send a clown to guard the Rainbow Bridge?!"
Meanwhile, in a dim, unknown world, Thor continued battling. Mjolnir spun violently, then shot downward, piercing straight into the earth. Moments later, the ground exploded.
A massive dark dragon burst forth, roaring as it lunged toward Sol. Its jaws snapped shut with terrifying force. But Thor didn't retreat; he stepped directly into its mouth. One foot pressed against its lower jaw, both hands bracing its upper skull, forcing it open. The dragon couldn't close its jaws.
Viewers watched in stunned silence. Thor's power… had grown.
"This… this can't be the same person!"
"That aura is overwhelming!"
"Is this even real? Could it be Loki in disguise?!"
"No… he's just gotten stronger."
"Leaving the Avengers changed him."
Inside the dragon's maw, he stood like an immovable pillar. The sheer spectacle left viewers breathless. Screenshots flooded across devices.
Yet in the next moment, Thor did something unexpected. He let go of Mjolnir.
Bang! Freed from his grip, the hammer crashed down, pinning the dragon to the ground with absolute force. No matter how violently it struggled, it couldn't move even an inch.
The livestream exploded with cheers.
Thor landed lightly, pointing at the dragon, "Stay."
Then he looked skyward again, "Heimdall? I'm running short on options!"
His voice echoed through the void, reaching the Rainbow Bridge.
Back in Asgard, one of the women noticed, "Umm... Skurge? Is that important?"
The bald warrior, Skurge, paused, then grabbed the greatsword. "You girls are in for a treat."
He slammed the sword into place and twisted it, causing light to burst forth.
At that exact moment, Thor reclaimed Mjolnir and shot forward at blinding speed. Behind him, the dragon erupted in flames, chasing relentlessly. Man and beast tore across the sky. Just as the dragon lunged to bite him, a rainbow beam descended, and Thor vanished.
Moments later, he reappeared on the bridge, dragging the severed head of the dragon behind him. Green blood splattered everywhere. Skurge and the two women were drenched.
"Girls." Unfazed, Skurge stepped forward, "Well, well, well. Look who decided to pop in. Thanks for scaring away my company and drenching my workplace in brains."
Thor frowned, "Who are you?"
Skurge blinked in surprise, "Don't you remember? I'm Skurge. We fought together in Vanaheim."
Thor ignored that, "Right. Where is Heimdall?"
Skurge shrugged, "That traitor? No one knows. He's a fugitive of the throne."
Thor's expression darkened, "Traitor?"
"Yeah, well, Odin charged Heimdall with negligence of duty," Skurge said casually. "But he disappeared before the trial." He smirked faintly, "Hard to catch a guy who can see everything in the universe."
Thor's instincts screamed that something was wrong, "Sure…"
Without hesitation, he spun Mjolnir.
"Hold on!" Skurge called. "I'm supposed to announce your arrival."
Too late. Driven by the hammer, Thor shot across the Rainbow Bridge and straight toward the palace. He landed heavily before the grand hall and froze. Towering before him stood a massive statue. It was unmistakable. The face… was Loki's.
Thor's eyes widened in shock, "What the hell is that?"
At this moment, outside the grand hall, a lively crowd had gathered. They weren't here for battle or politics but for a play. Onstage, the scene unfolded: Thor and Loki storming into the Dark Elves' domain with Jane, a tense clash of wit and deception brought vividly to life. The performance was dramatic, almost exaggerated, filled with sharp exchanges and even a few mocking jabs at Thor himself. It was… surprisingly entertaining.
Reclining lazily on a chaise longue, "King Odin" watched with visible enjoyment. Attendants stood nearby, delicately peeling grapes and offering them to him. The scene felt oddly indulgent, far removed from the dignified, authoritative Odin everyone knew. Laughter rippled through the unseen audience.
"I'm dying! Loki actually turned that into a play?"
"If Odin saw this, he'd be furious."
"Still… It's pretty accurate to what happened with the Dark Elves."
"Thor's going to lose it when he realizes!"
"He'll smash Loki into the ground!"
As the performance reached its end, applause echoed through the hall. The false Odin rose, clapping with satisfaction, while the crowd began to disperse, but one figure remained. Thor. He stared intently at the figure on the throne and spoke in a low voice: "Father."
The disguised Loki nearly choked on his drink before hastily recovering, "Oh shit. Ah, my son, Thor, has returned. Greetings, my boy."
Thor stepped forward, Surtur's horn held firmly in his grasp. His eyes flicked toward the stage, "It's an interesting play. What's it called?"
"The Tragedy of Loki of Asgard. The people wanted to commemorate him." Odin replied smoothly.
Thor narrowed his eyes, "Ah, indeed, they should."
His gaze drifted toward a statue nearby, lips curling slightly, "I like this statue. A lot better looking than he was when he was alive, though."
A pause, "A little less weasely, less greasy, maybe."
Odin's expression stiffened, just for a moment, but Thor lifted the horn in his hand, "Do you know what this is?"
"The skull of Surtur," Loki answered quickly. "That's a formidable weapon."
"Do me a favor," Thor said, handing it over. "Lock this away in a vault, so it doesn't turn into a giant monster and destroy the whole planet."
"Thank you, dear. Um..." Odin passed it off to a servant, rising slowly, "So it's back to Midgard for you, is it?"
"Nope." Thor idly tossed Mjölnir into the air, catching it with practiced ease, "I've been having this recurring dream lately. Every night..." His voice grew quieter, "I see Asgard falling into ruins."
Loki waved a hand dismissively. "That is just a silly dream, a sign of an overactive imagination."
"Possibly," Thor admitted, "But I decided to go out there and investigate."
The hammer spun once more in his hand, "And what do I find, but the Nine Realms completely in chaos."
His gaze sharpened, "Enemies of Asgard assembling, plotting our demise. All while you, Odin, the protector of those Nine Realms…" Thor stepped closer, voice turning cold, "…are sitting here in your bathrobe, eating grapes."
Odin adjusted his ring, forcing a calm smile, "Yes, it is best to respect our neighbor's freedom."
Thor let out a humorless laugh, "Yes, of course, the freedom to be massacred."
Suddenly, he hurled Mjölnir. The hammer streaked past Odin's head with a thunderous rush of wind before curving back into Thor's hand. A warning. Nothing more. The tension snapped tight.
"Yes," Odn said. "Besides, I have been rather busy myself."
"Watching theater?" Thor cut in.
Odn said quickly, "Board meeting, and security council meeting..."
Thor's eyes locked onto him, "You're really gonna make me do it?"
Loki blinked. "Do what?"
Thor didn't answer. Instead, he flung Mjölnir high into the air, so fast it vanished from sight. Then he stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Loki's shoulder, forcing him still.
"You know that nothing will stop Mjölnir," Thor said, "As it returns to my hand. Not even your face."
High above, Mjölnir curved back, hurtling down in a perfect, unstoppable arc.
Panic flashed across Loki's face, "You've gone mad! You'll be executed for this."
Guards tensed. The air itself seemed to hold its breath. Thor didn't move.
"Then I'll see you on the other side," he said calmly, "Brother."
The hammer roared closer, its markings now clearly visible. At the last possible moment, a green light burst forth.
"Alright, I yield!" The illusion shattered.
Thor released him just as Mjölnir slammed back into his hand. Loki staggered, now fully exposed. Gasps erupted from the surrounding Asgardians. Their king… had been an impostor all along. Yet Loki didn't flee. Instead, he smiled.
Skurge arrived and announced, "Behold! Thor Odinson!"
Loki said, "No. You had one job. Just the one."
Thor's voice was sharp as steel, "Where is Odin?"
Loki chuckled softly. "You just couldn't stay away, could you? Everything was fine without you."
He spread his arms, almost proudly, "Asgard was prospering. You've ruined everything. Ask them."
Thor stepped forward, fury rising. "Where is father? Did you kill him?"
Loki leaned back into his seat, unfazed. "You had what you wanted. You had the independence you asked for."
Mjölnir pressed against his chest.
"Ouch ouch ouch!" Loki winced. "Okay, I know exactly where he is."
Thor pulled the hammer back. Moments later, they stood on Earth. Stretched out before them, an excavator clawed through broken concrete, reducing what remained of a once-standing structure. A crooked sign swayed in the dust-filled air.
Loki, now dressed in a sharp black suit, gestured toward the wreckage, "I swear I left him here."
Thor crossed his arms, disbelief written all over his face, "Right here on the sidewalk? Or right there where the building is being demolished? Great planning."
"How was I supposed to know?" Loki shrugged. "can't see into the future. I'm not a witch."
Thor glanced at his outfit, "No? Then, why do you dress like one?"
"Hey," Loki said.
Thor's voice softened slightly, though frustration lingered, "I can't believe you are alive. I saw you die. I saw you die. I mourned you. I cried for you."
Loki arched a brow, "I'm honored."
One girl said, "Ask him."
The other girl went forward and asked, "Hi. Would you mind taking a picture with us?"
Thor answered, "Oh, sure. Start figuring out where he is."
"Oh, my god." The first girl said, "Sorry to hear that Jane dumped you."
Thor said, "She didn't dump me, you know. I dump her. It was mutual dumping."
Then, a strange, glowing circle ignited beneath Loki's feet. He froze, raising his hands instinctively. Thor asked, "What is this? What are you doing?"
"This isn't me." Loki vanished into the portal. A scream echoed briefly before cutting off, and silence returned. Where Loki had stood, a single card fluttered to the ground. Thor poked it, "Loki."
Then, Thor picked it up and saw 177A Bleecker Street.
A new destination. And perhaps… a new ally, or a new problem, awaited.