Chapter 182: Luring Thor
"I'm not angry, I'm not angry. I have Gungnir now—I'm already the king of Asgard. Why care about a broken hammer?"
Loki took several deep breaths, ending his scrying magic.
He had intended to mock Thor's misery, only to become the joke himself.
Mjolnir had always been the sacred weapon of Asgard's crown prince, wielded solely by his elder brother Thor. No matter how many times Loki tried, he could never lift it.
Now, with Thor stripped of his power and unable to lift it, a mere mortal had done so effortlessly.
Was Loki inferior to a mortal?
"Forget it. The grand plan takes priority."
He had originally planned to descend and deceive his foolish brother again, crushing all hope of returning to Asgard. But seeing Thor surrounded by troublesome mortals, he abandoned the idea.
His priority now was to travel to Jotunheim and meet Laufey, the Frost Giant King, to advance his scheme.
If he could assassinate Laufey—who had tried to kill Odin—before the Allfather awoke from the Odinsleep, then obliterate Jotunheim with the Bifröst…
He would become Asgard's greatest hero, earning the recognition of its people, Odin, and the Queen.
---
Earth
Seeing Thor sitting on the ground, hugging his knees in despair, George instructed Steve to keep hold of Mjolnir. They decided to lead the group (including Thor) back to town while awaiting the Warriors Three and Lady Sif.
Just then, an RV pulled up beside them.
Three people emerged. The leader—a beautiful woman—noticed Thor's despondent state and asked:
"Thor… are you okay?"
It was Jane. After parting ways with Thor, his image had haunted her thoughts in the lab. Curiosity about his hammer compelled her to investigate.
Like a worried father, Professor Erik followed with Jane's student, Darcy.
"Jane, I'm fine. Just…"
Thor stood up, looking utterly shattered.
He had hoped to repay Jane's kindness after regaining his power. Now, all was lost.
"Professor Erik!"
"Dr. Banner! Dr. Betty!"
Erik, Banner, and Betty recognized each other—they were old friends and former research collaborators. But after Banner became the Hulk, pursued by General Ross and S.H.I.E.L.D., they lost contact.
"Oh my god! You're Iron Man Tony Stark! And you're the Angel! I know you!"
Darcy, the college student tagging along for credits, pointed at Tony and George, squealing.
She had just watched videos of Iron Man and the Angel battling robot soldiers in Queens on Facebook last night. Meeting them in person was overwhelming for a college student.
"Angel? What angel?"
George froze momentarily before realizing it must be a nickname the public gave him.
"Wait—you look just like Captain America! And that shield… Are you Captain America? Didn't he die?!"
Darcy spotted Steve behind George and shrieked again.
"What about me?"
Wolverine stepped forward. Darcy blinked:
"No idea."
And thus, the world where only Wolverine was left out was complete.
Darcy had definitely read X-Men comics and knew Wolverine—but only the fictional version. Had Logan unsheathed his Adamantium claws, she'd have recognized him instantly.
"Since everyone knows each other, let's head back to town and talk."
George waved, and the group returned to Puente Antiguo.
---
Evening, Jane's Rented House
The group analyzed why Thor couldn't lift Mjolnir. After eliminating several possibilities, they reached a consensus.
George spoke on their behalf:
"We've concluded that your father Odin exiled you to Earth not to punish you, but to test you."
"He believes the ruler of Asgard must possess compassion—not resort to war recklessly to solve problems."
"Once you understand this, you may reclaim Mjolnir."
"Then why could he lift it?"
Thor pointed at Steve. George explained:
"Because his character is noble and pure, filled with justice and kindness."
"Then why can't they?"
Thor gestured at Tony and the others, who promptly looked away.
George smiled:
"Everyone has flaws. They're just not as pure—myself included."
"I disagree. I've always considered myself a paragon of virtue and purity."
Tony shrugged defiantly.
Darcy muttered:
"Virtuous people don't say that about themselves. Sorry, no offense!"
Realizing she'd just roasted Iron Man, she clapped a hand over her mouth.
The group burst into laughter.
Thor stared gloomily at Mjolnir on the table:
"These past days, I've realized my past mindset was too aggressive—not everything should be solved by war. But I still don't fully grasp Father's words."
"No worries. Steve teaches at our school. You can stay with us awhile and learn from him."
"We also have a Professor Charles who might help you understand your father's wisdom."
George seized the chance to lure Thor in.
If Thor couldn't awaken as quickly as in the original timeline, having him at the school post-crisis would be ideal.
At the very least, it'd simplify future trips to Asgard or acquiring Asgardian resources.
"Oh 'God of Electricity,' I recommend War and Peace. Maybe it'll enlighten you."
Tony quipped. Thor immediately turned to Jane:
"Do you have this book?"
"Not physically, but we can download an e-book on Darcy's tablet."
Jane replied after a pause.
Darcy protested:
"No way! I need my tablet tonight for 2 Broke Girls! The town bookstore has it—we'll buy it tomorrow."
---
As George watched the group banter, waiting calmly for the Destroyer's arrival tomorrow, an unforeseen deviation occurred in Asgard.
Fearing delays might jeopardize his plans, Loki accelerated his scheme.
"Heimdall, Asgard has no further need of you!"
Catching Heimdall off guard, Loki unleashed the Casket of Ancient Winters' frost, freezing him solid. Then, wielding Odin's Gungnir, he activated the Bifröst—allowing Laufey, leader of the Frost Giants, to enter.
(End of Chapter)