Marcus grabbed his tactical vest and sidearm, then sprinted after the security guard through the compound. Rain had begun falling, heavy, sudden rain that seemed to appear from nowhere in the New Mexico desert. Lightning crackled across the sky in patterns that looked almost deliberate, as if the storm itself was responding to something's approach.
They reached the command center where Coulson stood watching multiple security monitors displaying different angles of the perimeter. On screen, a figure moved through the rain with purposeful strides, ignoring the downpour completely. He was tall and powerfully built, with long blonde hair plastered to his face by the rain. Even drenched and wearing civilian clothes that looked borrowed or stolen, he moved with the bearing of someone accustomed to command.
"He walked straight through the outer perimeter like it was not even there," Coulson said, his voice tight with controlled excitement. "Our guards tried to intercept him, and he put three trained security personnel on the ground without breaking stride. No weapons, just hand-to-hand combat executed with expert precision. Whoever this man is, he has military training at the highest levels."
Marcus watched Thor approach the crater on the monitors, his enhanced senses picking up details that the cameras could not fully capture. The way Thor moved suggested desperation beneath the confidence, a man who had lost everything and was grasping for the one thing that might restore what he had been. This was not the arrogant warrior who had been banished from Asgard. This was someone beginning to understand the consequences of his actions.
"Do we intercept?" one of the security team leaders asked, his hand resting on his weapon. "He is heading straight for the object, and our orders are to prevent unauthorized access."
"Let him reach it," Coulson said, making a decision that Marcus knew would have significant implications. "I want to see what happens when he touches that hammer. If he can move it when we could not, that tells us something important about what we are dealing with. But have teams ready to move in the moment we need to secure him."
Thor reached the crater's edge and paused, staring down at Mjolnir with an expression that Marcus recognized as hope mixed with fear. Then he descended into the muddy crater, his boots slipping on the wet earth but his determination never wavering. He reached the hammer and gripped its handle with both hands.
For a moment, nothing happened. Thor pulled with visible effort, his muscles straining, his face contorted with concentration and desperate need. Lightning flashed overhead as if responding to his attempt, the storm intensifying in sync with his efforts.
But Mjolnir did not move.
Thor pulled harder, putting everything he had into the attempt. He roared with frustration and grief, a sound that carried across the compound even through the storm. He fell to his knees in the mud, still gripping the hammer's handle, and Marcus could see the exact moment when realization struck, he was truly unworthy, truly powerless, truly mortal.
"Move in," Coulson ordered quietly. "Secure him carefully. I do not think he will resist now, but stay alert. He already demonstrated he can handle our security personnel easily."
Security teams emerged from their positions and descended into the crater. Thor did not resist as they approached, did not even seem to register their presence at first. When they placed hands on his shoulders and pulled him away from Mjolnir, he moved with mechanical compliance, a man whose spirit had been broken by the confirmation of his worst fears.
They brought Thor to an interrogation room in the main facility, a prefabricated structure with reinforced walls and one-way observation glass. Coulson had him placed in a chair but did not restrain him beyond basic handcuffs. The fallen god sat slumped with his head down, rain still dripping from his hair and clothes, looking like any defeated prisoner rather than the mighty Thor that Marcus knew he would eventually become.
"I am going to question him," Coulson said to Marcus in the observation room. "But I want you watching and analyzing everything he says and does. Look for inconsistencies, signs of deception, anything that might tell us who he really is and what his connection to that hammer might be."
Coulson entered the interrogation room and sat down across from Thor. He placed a tablet on the table between them and folded his hands, studying the prisoner with professional curiosity rather than hostility.
"My name is Agent Phil Coulson with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division. That is quite a mouthful, I know. Most people just call us SHIELD. I need to ask you some questions about who you are and why you attempted to access our secured research site. Let us start with something simple. What is your name?"
Thor raised his head slowly, his blue eyes focusing on Coulson with obvious effort. When he spoke, his voice carried the accent Marcus recognized from the movies, not quite any Earth dialect, but close enough to pass as European perhaps. "I am Thor Odinson, prince of Asgard, son of Odin, rightful heir to the throne of the Nine Realms."
Coulson's expression did not change, though Marcus could see him processing this claim. "Asgard. As in the Norse mythology Asgard. You are claiming to be the god of thunder."
"I do not claim to be anything. I am what I am, though my father has apparently decided otherwise." Thor's voice carried bitterness that seemed genuine. "He stripped me of my power and cast me out, sent me to this place as punishment for my arrogance and disobedience. And now I cannot even lift Mjolnir, the hammer that has been mine since I proved myself worthy of it centuries ago."
"Mjolnir. That is what you call the object in the crater."
"It is not an object. It is my weapon, forged in the heart of a dying star, enchanted by my father with spells that allow only the worthy to wield it. I have carried Mjolnir into a thousand battles across the Nine Realms. And now it rejects me as unworthy of its power."
Coulson made notes on his tablet, his expression remaining professionally neutral. "I see. And how exactly did you arrive in New Mexico, if you were cast out from this Asgard place?"
"Through the Bifrost. The rainbow bridge that connects Asgard to the other realms. My father used it to banish me, to send me here powerless and mortal as punishment for defying his orders and provoking war with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim."
Marcus watched Thor's body language carefully, using his enhanced perception to analyze every micro-expression and physiological tell. What he saw was consistent with someone telling the truth as they understood it, no signs of deliberate deception, no indications of mental illness or delusion. Thor genuinely believed everything he was saying, and more importantly, his emotional responses matched the narrative perfectly. The grief when he spoke of being cast out, the bitterness about losing his power, the desperate hope when he described trying to lift Mjolnir, these were authentic emotions, not manufactured ones.
"This is going to sound like an odd question," Coulson said, his tone remaining conversational, "but do you have any way to prove what you are claiming? Some form of identification, perhaps, or a demonstration of abilities that would support your assertion that you are a Norse god?"
Thor laughed, a bitter sound without humor. "I have no abilities to demonstrate. That is the entire point of my punishment. My father stripped me of my divine power and made me mortal. I am as weak and vulnerable as any human now. As for identification, I suppose I could describe Asgard in detail, tell you of the Nine Realms and the Bifrost and the eternal battle against the forces of chaos. But you would have no way to verify any of it, and I suspect you would attribute such descriptions to madness or elaborate fantasy rather than truth."
"You are right that we would need verification," Coulson agreed. "But I am keeping an open mind about possibilities. We have an object that appeared during an impossible storm, that cannot be moved by any means we have attempted, and that radiates energy signatures we cannot explain. And now we have a man claiming to be its rightful owner, a god from Norse mythology. You must understand that from our perspective, this requires extraordinary evidence to accept."
"I understand perfectly. If I were in your position, I would also struggle to believe such claims." Thor met Coulson's gaze directly. "But consider this, you have witnessed things you cannot explain. You have an object that defies your understanding of physics and materials science. And you have me, demonstrating combat capabilities that your security personnel found difficult to counter despite my currently mortal state. Perhaps the explanation that seems impossible is actually the truth, and your understanding of what is possible simply needs to expand."
Coulson made more notes, and Marcus could see him reassessing his initial assumptions. The senior agent was too experienced to dismiss Thor's claims outright, especially given the evidence that something genuinely unusual was occurring.
"Let me ask you something else," Coulson said. "If what you are saying is true, if you really are a prince of this Asgard and you have been cast out as punishment, what happens next? Do you just wait here hoping your father forgives you and restores your power? Or is there something you need to do to earn back what you lost?"
Thor was silent for a long moment, and Marcus saw genuine uncertainty in his expression. "I do not know. My father said nothing of how I might redeem myself, only that I was unworthy of the power I had been given. I suppose I must prove myself worthy again somehow, though I do not yet understand what that means or how to accomplish it."
The interrogation continued for another thirty minutes, with Coulson asking detailed questions about Asgard, the Nine Realms, and Thor's history. Thor answered everything with consistent detail, never contradicting himself, painting a picture of a universe much larger and more complex than Earth's scientists had ever imagined. Marcus documented patterns in Thor's responses, noting how certain topics prompted emotional reactions while others were discussed with casual familiarity.
Finally, Coulson ended the session and returned to the observation room where Marcus waited. The senior agent looked thoughtful rather than skeptical, and Marcus could see him working through the implications of what he had just heard.
"Your assessment?" Coulson asked.
"He believes everything he said," Marcus replied carefully. "There are no indicators of deception or delusion. His emotional responses are consistent with his narrative, and his level of specific detail suggests either genuine knowledge or an extraordinarily elaborate and well-rehearsed fabrication. Given the existence of the hammer and the circumstances of its appearance, I am inclined to believe we are dealing with something genuinely extraterrestrial rather than an elaborate hoax."
"That is my assessment as well. Which presents us with significant challenges." Coulson pulled up files on his tablet. "If Thor is telling the truth, we are not just dealing with advanced technology, we are dealing with beings who possess capabilities that appear magical by our standards. Gods, for lack of a better term. And if there are gods from Asgard, that suggests the existence of other realms and other beings we know nothing about."
"It fundamentally changes our threat assessment models," Marcus agreed. "Everything we have built SHIELD to handle has been terrestrial or at most involving technology we can eventually understand and counter. But if there are realms full of beings with godlike powers, we need entirely new frameworks for understanding and responding to potential threats."
Coulson nodded slowly. "I need to brief Director Fury on this development. In the meantime, we keep Thor here under observation but treat him well. If he really is a prince, even a powerless one, we do not want to antagonize him or his people. And Agent Reid, I want you to continue analyzing everything about this situation. Look for patterns, connections, anything that might help us understand what we are dealing with and what might happen next."
Over the next two days, Marcus divided his time between analyzing data about Mjolnir and observing Thor's behavior in custody. The fallen god was cooperative but clearly struggling with his new mortal limitations. He ate ravenously, apparently unused to human hunger. He tired more easily than he expected. Small injuries that would have been insignificant to his divine form now required actual attention and healing time.
But Marcus also observed Thor beginning to change in subtle ways. The arrogance that had probably characterized him before his banishment was being tempered by the experience of vulnerability. When scientists asked him questions about Asgardian science and technology, Thor answered with genuine interest rather than condescension. When security personnel maintained their professional distance, Thor respected their positions rather than demanding special treatment based on his claimed royal status.
On the morning of the third day, Marcus was reviewing energy readings from Mjolnir when alarms suddenly blared throughout the compound. He rushed to the command center to find chaos, multiple security monitors showed something impossible descending from the sky. A massive humanoid figure made of what looked like liquid metal, with a head that resembled a blank metal mask with a glowing gap where the face should be.
The Destroyer. Loki had sent it to kill Thor.
"What the hell is that thing?" one of the security officers demanded, his voice tight with barely controlled panic.
Marcus watched the Destroyer touch down about half a mile from the compound, its movements deliberate and purposeful. It turned its head toward the SHIELD facility, and even through the security monitors Marcus could see the malevolent intelligence guiding it.
"That is an Asgardian weapon," Marcus said, the words coming out before he could stop them. Everyone turned to look at him, and he quickly added, "It must be. Thor described advanced weapons systems in his interrogation, and this entity appears to be made of materials similar to what we detected in Mjolnir's composition."
Coulson was already on his comm unit. "All personnel, this is Agent Coulson. We have an unknown hostile entity approaching from the south. Evacuate non-essential personnel immediately. Tactical teams, establish defensive positions and prepare to engage. Get someone to bring our guest from Asgard to the command center now. I suspect he can tell us what we are dealing with."
Security brought Thor at a run, and the fallen god's expression shifted from confusion to horror when he saw the Destroyer on the monitors. "No. This is not possible. The Destroyer is the ultimate weapon in Odin's vault, used only against the greatest threats to Asgard. My father would never authorize its use on Midgard."
"Midgard?" Coulson asked.
"What you call Earth. But if the Destroyer is here, it was not sent by my father. It must be Loki. My brother must have found a way to control it and sent it to finish what my banishment started, to ensure I can never return to challenge his position."
"Can it be stopped?" Marcus asked. "Is there a way to disable or destroy it?"
Thor's expression was grim. "The Destroyer is nearly invulnerable. It has withstood attacks from the most powerful beings in the Nine Realms. Your weapons will not damage it significantly, and it will destroy everything in its path to reach its target."
"Which is you," Coulson said, understanding immediately.
"Yes. Loki sent it to kill me. But it will not stop with me, it will eliminate anyone and anything that stands between it and its objective. Your people are in grave danger, and there is nothing I can do to protect them in my current powerless state."
The Destroyer had closed half the distance to the compound, moving with inexorable purpose. Security teams opened fire with automatic weapons, and Marcus watched the bullets spark off the entity's metal surface without leaving so much as a scratch. The Destroyer's head rotated toward the source of the gunfire, and the gap where its face should be began to glow with orange light.
"Everyone take cover!" Marcus shouted, his precognition showing him what was about to happen.
A beam of superheated energy erupted from the Destroyer's face, incinerating two security vehicles and scorching the earth. The heat was so intense that metal melted and sand turned to glass. The security teams fell back in disarray, their weapons completely ineffective against this supernatural threat.
"We need to evacuate the compound now," Coulson said, making the tactical decision instantly. "All personnel, withdraw to the backup position two miles north. Move quickly and maintain discipline. Agent Reid, get Thor to one of the vehicles. If that thing is here for him, we need to keep him mobile and away from civilian areas."
Marcus grabbed Thor's arm and pulled him toward the motor pool where vehicles were already being loaded with essential equipment and personnel. Around them, SHIELD agents moved with trained efficiency despite the chaos, following evacuation protocols that had been drilled into them through countless exercises.
"I cannot run from this," Thor protested, even as he allowed Marcus to guide him. "If the Destroyer is here for me, leading it away will only endanger more people. I should face it, allow it to complete its mission, and perhaps that will satisfy Loki and spare your people."
"That is not how this works," Marcus said firmly. "We do not sacrifice people just because someone wants them dead. We find another solution, a way to stop that thing that does not involve giving it what it wants."
They reached a SUV where Coulson was already waiting behind the wheel. Marcus pushed Thor into the back seat and climbed in beside him while Coulson accelerated away from the compound. Behind them, the Destroyer had reached the perimeter and was methodically destroying everything in its path. Buildings collapsed, equipment was reduced to molten slag, and the carefully constructed research facility was being obliterated.
"It is destroying all your work," Thor said, watching through the rear window with obvious distress. "All the research you were conducting, the equipment, everything. This is my fault. I brought this destruction to your world."
"We can rebuild equipment and facilities," Coulson said, his voice tight but controlled. "What we cannot replace is personnel. As long as everyone gets out alive, we will consider this operation a success."
They drove for several miles before Coulson pulled over on a ridge that gave them a view back toward the compound. The Destroyer had finished demolishing the SHIELD facility and was now moving in their direction, tracking them somehow despite the distance.
"It knows where we are," Marcus said, his enhanced senses picking up the subtle changes in the entity's behavior. "It can detect Thor specifically, probably through some kind of Asgardian magic or technology that allows it to lock onto its target."
"Then we cannot outrun it," Coulson said. "And we cannot fight it with the weapons we have available. Agent Reid, I am open to suggestions because our options are rapidly running out."
Marcus's mind raced through possibilities. He knew from the movies that Thor would eventually stop the Destroyer through self-sacrifice, proving himself worthy and regaining his powers in the process. But they were not at that point yet. They needed to buy time, to delay the Destroyer long enough for Thor to complete whatever internal journey would lead to his redemption.
"We need to reach the nearby town," Marcus said. "There will be civilians there who need to be evacuated before the Destroyer arrives. If we can coordinate their evacuation while simultaneously drawing the Destroyer's attention, we might buy enough time to find a more permanent solution."
"You want to lead a murderous Asgardian weapon toward a town full of innocent people?" Coulson asked, his skepticism clear.
"I want to evacuate those people before the Destroyer reaches them on its own. It is moving in a straight line toward Thor, and that line goes directly through the town. At least if we get there first, we can start getting people to safety."
Coulson considered this for a moment, then nodded. "You are right. We cannot stop it, but we can minimize casualties. Thor, is there anything you can tell us about the Destroyer's capabilities that might help us protect civilians?"
"The Destroyer is relentless but not particularly fast. It will pursue its target with single-minded determination, destroying obstacles but not going out of its way to cause additional destruction. If you can evacuate civilians from its direct path and keep them away from its line of approach, they should be safe."
They drove to the small town that Marcus recognized from the movies, a typical rural New Mexico community with a main street, local businesses, and residents who had no idea that a supernatural threat was heading their way. Coulson immediately started coordinating with local law enforcement, explaining that there was a chemical spill emergency and they needed to evacuate everyone within a two-mile radius immediately.
Marcus helped with the evacuation, using his enhanced speed and strength to assist elderly residents and families with children. The local sheriff was skeptical about the urgency until he looked toward the horizon and saw the Destroyer's distinctive metal form approaching, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
"What in God's name is that thing?" the sheriff demanded, his hand dropping to his sidearm instinctively despite clearly understanding that his weapon would be useless.
"Something very dangerous that we are working to contain," Marcus said. "Please focus on getting these people out of here. We will handle the threat."
The evacuation proceeded with admirable efficiency, but it was clear they would not have everyone clear before the Destroyer arrived. The entity was already at the edge of town, its blank metal face turning to track Thor's position. Several SHIELD agents had positioned themselves with heavy weapons, trying to slow the Destroyer's advance, but their efforts were completely ineffective.
Thor stood in the middle of the main street, watching the Destroyer approach with an expression of resignation and grief. "This is where it ends. My arrogance brought this threat to your world, and now I must face the consequences. I am sorry I could not be more help to you, Agent Coulson, Agent Reid. You are good warriors and honorable men."
"We are not done fighting yet," Marcus said, though he knew from his knowledge of the timeline that Thor needed to reach this moment of self-sacrifice to trigger his redemption. "There has to be another way."
The Destroyer was fifty yards away now, its face beginning to glow with the orange light that preceded its energy weapon. Thor stepped forward, separating himself from Marcus and Coulson, drawing the entity's attention fully to himself.
"Brother, whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to make you think this is necessary, I apologize," Thor called out, his voice carrying across the empty street. "I was a fool and a warmonger, arrogant and unworthy of the power I was given. Father was right to cast me out and strip me of my abilities. But these people are innocent. They have done nothing to deserve your wrath. So I ask you, take what you want from me, but leave them in peace."
The Destroyer stopped, its glowing face dimming slightly as if considering Thor's words. For a moment, Marcus thought perhaps Loki might show mercy, might call off his weapon now that Thor had shown true humility.
Then the Destroyer's face blazed with energy, and a beam of superheated destruction launched directly at Thor's chest.