VCM Thor's head spun as he tried to process the news. "What? My father has entered Odin's Sleep, and Loki wants to usurp the throne?"
He had only intended to get an update on Asgard from Sif and the others, but now he was hearing an entirely different version of events.
"Can you people give me a moment to catch up? My brain feels like it's been thrown into a storm. You don't always have to drop big news on me all at once!" he grumbled, rubbing his temples.
Despite his frustration, Thor trusted the four warriors before him.
They were not tricksters like Loki, nor were they outsiders.
If they said this was happening, he believed them.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a swirling vortex appeared in the distant sky.
A dark figure tumbled through the air, crashing down hard, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Is someone else arriving?" Jane asked, shielding her eyes against the sun.
"That's not how the Bifrost looks when it opens," Sif said, frowning in suspicion.
"No... it could be possible," Thor said, eyes narrowing.
His thoughts drifted to Loki.
For too long, he had been manipulated by his brother, but now he wanted the full truth. "If anyone could find another way to send someone to Earth, it would be Loki."
"You're right, Prince Thor," a voice interrupted.
Ethan stepped forward, his expression serious. "That thing that fell? It came from Asgard. A contact of mine saw it firsthand. If my guess is right, your brother Loki has already made his move."
Thor clenched his fists. "Loki..." he muttered, anger and disbelief flickering across his face.
Ethan continued, "We anticipated something like this, so we've deployed firepower near the landing site.
But we still need you to confirm what's happening. As Asgardians, you're more familiar with your own technology and weaknesses."
Ethan gestured to Yuriko, who set up a computer screen.
A live drone feed flickered to life, showing the scene near the impact site.
Thor's face hardened as he saw the preparations. "You intend to launch a military strike against whoever arrived? No."
Thor knew Asgardian magic and technology were formidable, but without their full arsenal deployed, they could still be vulnerable.
He had seen enough of Earth's advancements in the past days to know that their weapons, yes, it could do significant damage. But against Asgardian weaponry? Impossible.
This wasn't just about Loki. If Earth's forces engaged against whatever is brother sent, the casualties would be devastating—something Thor did not want.
The presence of Sif and the Warriors Three reassured him.
As seasoned warriors, they were more than capable of taking on an entire battalion if needed.
But if there was a way to avoid a full-scale battle, Thor would take it.
If necessary, he would even try to convince his brother to stand down.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "Uh, I think there's been a misunderstanding. The army I mentioned is not exactly what you're thinking."
Thor let out an exasperated sigh. "Listen, I'm not underestimating you people from Midgard, but the Asgardians are much toughe—" He suddenly froze, his eyes snapping to the screen. "Wait... the Destroyer? How much firepower have you deployed?!"
On the screen, the battlefield was in chaos.
Dozens of tanks had surrounded the towering metal construct, bombarding it relentlessly.
In the distance, rocket launchers were in position, ready to fire, while a dozen F-22 fighter jets circled above, awaiting their orders.
The entire area had been reduced to scorched earth under the relentless assault.
Yet, as the smoke cleared, the Destroyer emerged—untouched.
Strange golden runes flickered across its armored surface, but beyond that, it hadn't sustained so much as a scratch.
"Fools! Get your people out of there!" Thor roared.
But it was already too late.
The Destroyer's faceplate slid open, and a concentrated beam of energy, stronger than anything before, erupted from within.
It swept across the battlefield like a supercharged electromagnetic cannon, vaporizing tanks in an instant.
A dozen jets were obliterated mid-flight, their wreckage raining down like fiery debris.
Thor clenched his fists, a deep sadness settling over him. "Damn it..." He turned back to Ethan. "Do you have anything stronger?"
Ethan's expression was grim. "We still have nukes. They're locked and ready."
Thor shook his head. "That won't work. The Destroyer is Asgard's ultimate weapon. A fusion of our most advanced technology and magic, imbued with ancient runes of immense power.
It's a war machine meant for cosmic battles. Even at reduced power under Loki's control, it's still beyond anything you can throw at it. A nuke won't stop it."
Ethan nodded, as if he had expected that answer.
'Yeah, I figured as much. The movies seriously nerfed the Destroyer. Looks like it's the same case here. If this were the Destroyer from the comics, the Ancient One would have already stepped in,' Ethan thought to himself.
Thor exhaled sharply. "Then do you have anything stronger?"
Ethan smirked. "Yeah."
"What is it?"
Ethan pointed at himself. "Me."
Thor blinked. "...What?"
The reason Ethan hadn't jumped into battle immediately was simple—he knew just how dangerous the Destroyer was.
Even with his abilities, he wasn't about to charge in without understanding what he was up against.
The stories about this war machine were the stuff of legend.
When wielded by Odin himself, the Destroyer had the power to fight against cosmic beings, even destroy planets.
Even at half strength, it was still a force to be reckoned with.
But now, with Thor's explanation, Ethan had his answer.
This version was significantly weakened. And that meant it was time to act.
Thor eyed him warily. "You really think you can fight it?"
Ethan shrugged. "Let's put it this way—I picked up your hammer. It wasn't that heavy."
Thor's breath hitched, his hands instinctively reaching for his hair.
For a brief moment, he swore he saw a flash of green. Was he losing his mind?
After a long pause, he nodded. "Fine. I believe you. Sif, Fandral, and I will fight alongside you."
"They can. You can't." Ethan pointed at him. "You lost your powers, remember?"
Thor's jaw tightened, his pride flaring. "Maybe. But in Asgard, warriors do not retreat. If I must die, then I will do so beside my friends."
Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "You don't get it. I'm not dismissing you. I'm saying there's something more important for you to do."
Thor frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"
Ethan gestured toward the crater where Mjolnir lay. "Remember what I told you? Odin is still your father. He wouldn't be so cruel.
This is your trial. And just now, when you hesitated to drag Asgard into a war between you and your brother, you showed the wisdom he wanted to see.
Maybe you should try again. If you succeed, you'll be far more useful to us."
Thor fell silent, considering Ethan's words. For a long moment, he simply stared at the ground.
Then, his shoulders squared, his resolve hardening.
He lifted his head, eyes filled with newfound determination. "You're right. Maybe this is what I was meant to do."
With a deep breath, he turned and strode toward Mjolnir's crash site.
...
"He's here." Ethan's voice was steady as he and Sif watched the towering Destroyer march into the small town.
The streets were empty, the residents evacuated by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
The town itself wouldn't last long against the Asgardian war machine, but at least the buildings offered some cover—better than nothing compared to an open battlefield.
"Fandral, are you ready?" Volstagg, the burly warrior, took a step back, gripping his sword as he shouted to his comrade.
Fandral, ever the agile fighter, smirked and raised his hands. "For Asgard!"
Volstagg roared and charged, stepping onto Fandral's hands as his friend launched him into the air.
He swung his blade down with all his might—
Only for the Destroyer to raise an arm and swat him away like a fly.
"Damn it—catch me!" Volstagg yelled as he hurtled through the air.
Before he could crash, Ethan's hand clapped against his back, and suddenly, the bone-crushing force of impact vanished.
Volstagg landed safely on his feet, stunned.
He blinked, looking at Ethan with newfound respect. "Mortal, your abilities are beyond my expectations. It seems you are more than just talk."
"Volstagg, move!" Fandral's urgent shout snapped him back to reality.
The Destroyer was already in front of them, its fist raised.
Volstagg's heart pounded—he had felt its strength firsthand. If that hit landed—
The punch came down.
But it never connected.
Ethan stood calmly in front of him, completely unfazed.
"Hmm. Weaker than I expected," Ethan mused, tilting his head.
"Feels about the same as a punch from the Hulk."
The Destroyer showed no reaction.
Without hesitation, it raised its other arm and struck again—this time, Ethan didn't move to block.
He let the hit land directly on his face.
The metal fist made contact—
And nothing happened.
Ethan didn't even flinch.
The Destroyer's mask slid open, golden energy gathering at its core.
The air around them grew hot as it prepared to unleash its devastating blast.
But before it could fire, Ethan suddenly grabbed the war machine by its chest and, with one explosive movement, lifted it clean off the ground.
Then he slammed it down with brutal force.
The Destroyer crashed into the earth, shaking the entire town.
Dust and debris shot into the air as the impact carved craters into the pavement.
It tried to rise, runes flickering as it reassembled itself.
Ethan didn't give it the chance.
"Stay down." He raised his foot and stomped on the Destroyer's back.
The ground trembled.
A massive shockwave rippled outward, sending cracks splintering through the concrete.
Buildings within a hundred meters shook from the sheer force.
Beneath Ethan's foot, the Destroyer's armor dented under the pressure.
But then golden runes glowed, and the dent slowly began to reform, repairing itself.
"Automatic repair function…" Ethan muttered to himself, watching the Destroyer's armor shift and reform.
As expected of Asgard's ultimate war machine—its durability and self-repair capabilities were nothing short of insane.
But even with that, as long as he kept it pinned down, it wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
The Destroyer struggled against the force holding it in place, but when raw power failed, it adapted.
Its entire frame twisted unnaturally, its armor shifting like a snake slithering on the ground.
In an instant, it had flipped itself over, now facing Ethan, its palm already reforming into a cannon, destructive energy crackling to life.
"A full-body rotation like that… Did Odin ever worry about slipping when he wore this thing?" Ethan quipped, before tightening his grip on the Destroyer's arm and slamming its glowing hand against its own chest.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted, sending Ethan skidding backward, but he regained control mid-air, flipping and landing lightly on his feet.
The Destroyer, momentarily staggered, emerged from the smoke, its glowing visor locking onto him once more.
Unbeknownst to it, a figure had already moved into position above.
From the rooftop behind, Sif stood poised, sword in hand, her eyes locked on the towering war machine.
Without hesitation, she leapt, letting out a fierce battle cry as her blade plunged directly into the Destroyer's neck.
Boom!
The Destroyer halted, its glow flickering.
For a moment, it seemed as if Sif's attack had worked.
But then, its energy surged back to full strength.
It didn't have a vital point—no real body to pierce.
The neck meant nothing.
The Destroyer's mask slid open again, deadly energy charging within, now aimed directly at Sif.
"Move!" Ethan roared.
In an instant, a massive repelling force blasted outward, sending the Destroyer flying before it could fire.
Its energy beam shot wildly off-course, carving a deep, searing scar across the town.
The destructive ray didn't stop there—it extended for miles, effortlessly slicing through a distant hilltop, leaving molten rock in its wake.
Sif landed and turned to Ethan, her breath still steady despite the close call.
"Thank you!" she said sincerely.
Even for an Asgardian warrior, taking a direct hit from that would have meant annihilation.
Ethan waved a hand dismissively. "Don't mention it."
But his curiosity got the better of him, and he gestured to her weapon. "Your sword—it actually pierced its armor."
Even with his vector control, he had only managed to leave dents.
Yet, Sif's sword had punctured straight through. That was something worth noting.
Sif nodded. "Our weapons aren't as powerful as Mjolnir, but they were forged by the same dwarven smiths. Their craftsmanship is far beyond Earth's technology."
Ethan smirked. "So, even in a world with spaceships and cosmic energy, swords still have their place."
"Asgardian weapons aren't just metal and blade. They're crafted with magic, forged to withstand and channel divine power. Thor's hammer may be unique, but our weapons carry their own strength."
Sif twirled her blade, inspecting the faint marks it had left on the Destroyer's armor. "Though, as you saw, the damage doesn't last. Its regeneration is too fast."
Ethan grinned. "Still, the fact that it worked at all… that's interesting. Maybe it's not just about brute force. Maybe we just need to hit it the right way."
Sif arched a brow. "And you have a plan?"
He chuckled. "I do. But first—mind if I borrow that sword?"