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ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɴɪɴᴇ: ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ʜᴇʀ

❝ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ ғɪʀsᴛ, ʀɪɢʜᴛ? ❞

✧ ✧ ✧

WITH A SMILE SMILE, you watched as Thor helped Jane down from the ladder, revelling in the cuteness while you made your way towards the entrance to the lab. You barely set foot inside before you were tackled.

Aaron's body collided with yours in a massive hug that knocked the wind out of you, allowing you to only get the tiniest of giggles out as you hugged him back.

"I missed you, too."

"How are you, love?"

"Good," you smiled, pulling away and rubbing your hand at the back of his head affectionately. "Thor and I had a training session last night, and I think it's safe to say that I won't be shutting down any cities anytime soon."

Aaron laughed happily. "That's great!"

"What's great?" Selvig asked, shuffling into the kitchen area tiredly.

You and Aaron shared a look before you swiftly covered up; things might have been better, but you still weren't entirely comfortable with broadcasting your abilities to the world.

"Oh, that problem I left to take care of? It's all sorted."

Which technically wasn't a lie.

Selvig nodded in understanding, rubbing his eyes. "Nice to hear your great-aunt is okay."

Smiling at the older man, you sneaked a wink at Aaron - garnering a beautiful smile in response - and turned to make some coffee.

Ten minutes later, the rest of your group had joined you, and four of you were sitting at the table, sipping coffee while Thor and Jane prepared the eggs for breakfast.

Jane scooped the eggs from the hotplate and placed them on the plates, which Thor carried over and placed in front of each of you.

"Thanks," Darcy beamed.

"You're very welcome," Thor bowed his head and pulled up a seat for himself, Jane joining with a couple more plates.

The lot of you proceeded to dig in, while across the street on the roof of one of the buildings, Agents Garrett and Cale surveyed your group, bored out of their wits. Cale watched you through the lab windows with binoculars and Garrett listened to the comm.

"They want an update," he said, turning to Cale.

"Tell them he's eating eggs."

"Scrambled or fried?" Garrett asked, getting a glare from his colleague before speaking into the comm, "Target is eating eggs, sir. We'll keep you posted."

✧ ✧ ✧

Security room. S.H.I.E.L.D desert base.

Coulson raced into the room as Dallon called up satellite footage of the Bifrost storm that was currently occurring on the computer monitor.

"What the hell was that?" Coulson questioned.

"I don't know, sir," Dallon shook his head, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, only to have them fall down again, "We got massive energy readings out of nowhere, then they just disappeared. Fifteen miles due northwest."

"Let's go take a look."

✧ ✧ ✧

Bifrost landing site.

Amidst the fury of the Bifrost storm, the Warriors Three and Sif dropped to the ground in the New Mexico desert. They clambered to their feet as the Bifrost quickly receded, the hole in the sky closing up behind it. The rainbow bridge's runes covered the desert sand around them.

"He must have landed nearby," Volstagg said, glancing around to gather his bearings, "It's time to put our tracking skills to work. Spread out. Check the sand for indentations of his boot prints."

Fandral piped up next, trailing his finger in the air. "The winds would have blown them away by now. We should look for signs of a campfire."

"Or we could just start there," Sif suggested, pointing behind the group to the town in the distance - the only visible sign of civilisation - and to Hogun, who had already taken initiative and started walked towards it.

Volstagg and Fandral traded looks, their egos bruised, before the former spoke again.

"It's worth a look, I suppose," he shrugged, and the party began trooping towards the town.

~

Townsfolk stared in wonder at the Warriors Three and Sif as they strolled down the street in all their Asgardian splendour, paying no mind to the strange looks they were receiving.

A little way down the street, a boy hit a baseball, which rolled under a parked car. He ran to retrieve it, but couldn't reach it. Suddenly, the side of the car rose into the air. The boy looked over, his mouth dropping open at what he saw - Volstagg easily held the car up with one hand.

Volstagg picked up the boy's ball, then dropped the car. He handed the ball back to the boy, reaching out to tousle his hair.

"There you go, lad!" he boomed.

The boy just stared, standing frozen, as the Asgardians headed off.

"Is it just me," Volstagg continued, addressing his fellow Asgardians as he looked at the surrounding streets and buildings, "or does Earth look a little different to you?"

Sif shrugged, looking around as well. "It has been a thousand years..."

"Things change so fast here. You leave for a millennium, and it's like the whole neighbourhood's gone." Volstagg sniffed, picking up a scent. "Perhaps we should split up."

From the rooftop, Agents Cale and Garrett spotted Sif, Fandral and Hogun walking down the street.

"Is there a Renaissance Faire in town?" Garrett scrunched his face up.

"Call it in," Cale instructed.

Before either of them could, Volstagg rose up behind them, smashing their heads together. They were out like a light.

"Never cared for spies," Volstagg grunted.

He started to move away, then saw their bag of fast food on the ground. Intrigued, he pulled out a cheeseburger and took a bite.

"Exquisite."

✧ ✧ ✧

Jane's lab.

Your little group made a charming team, tidying up after breakfast - washing, drying, and putting plates and utensils away.

The front door burst open.

"Found you!"

All of you turned to see Sif and the Warriors Three, staring baffled at the sight of the domestic Thor drying dishes in mortal clothing. Jane was so startled at the sudden intrusion that she dropped a plate; it went shattering on the floor.

"My friends!" Thor happily raced over to greet his comrades while the rest of you watched from across the room.

You and Jane looked concerned, while Selvig, Darcy and Aaron eyed them with wonder.

"I don't believe it..." the two doctors spoke in unison, totally in awe.

"Who are they?" Darcy asked.

Volstagg took the liberty of answering. "Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. Surely you've heard tales of Hogun the Grim, Fandral the Dashing, and I, Volstagg the Svelte?"

Selvig looked pointedly at Volstagg's massive gut. The Warrior shifted awkwardly.

"Well, perhaps I've put on a little more muscle since I was here last."

"That would have been a thousand years ago?" Jane frowned. "Northern Europe?"

"Exactly!" Volstagg beamed, "Those lovely herring people. They worshipped us!"

Thor grinned, laying a hand of the Warrior's shoulder. "My friends, I've never been happier to see anyone. But you should not have come."

Fandral stepped up. "We're here to take you home."

"You know I can't," Thor's face fell, "My father is dead because of me. I must remain in exile."

The other Asgardians exchanged puzzled looks, with Sif being the one to inform him.

"Thor... your father still lives."

✧ ✧ ✧

Bifrost landing site.

A few S.H.I.E.L.D vehicles were parked by the site, with a few agents standing nearby as scientists took readings. Coulson kneeled, examining the Bifrost runes. He turned to one of the agents.

"Get somebody from Linguistics out here."

Just then, they heard a rumbling overhead, as the Bifrost storm roared in the sky above. Coulson and the rest of the agents scrambled for cover, the vehicle windshields shattering as the storm grew in strength. Finally, the hole in the sky overhead opened, and the funnel cloud exploded out of it, touching down onto the desert floor. The agents used their arms to shelter their eyes from the maelstrom.

From behind the SUV they sought cover at, the agents lowered their arms once it was safe to do so, and peered around the vehicle. They were met with the sight of the Destroyer - a towering entity making its way toward them.

"Is that one of Stark's?" one of the agents queried, staring at the adversary in awe.

"I don't think so," Coulson shook his head, then shrugged lightly, "But the guy doesn't tell me anything."

Stepping forward, Coulson grabbed a megaphone from inside the SUV and called out to the Destroyer.

"Hello! You're using unregistered weapons technology. Please identify yourself."

There was an audible hum in the air as the Destroyer's fiery energy began to power up inside of it, prompting Coulson to step back and flail his free hand around.

"Incoming!" he warned.

The agents scrambled for cover yet again, just in time to dodge a blast of energy from the Destroyer; it hit one of the SUVs, blowing it to pieces. Aiming their weapons, the agents returned fire.

✧ ✧ ✧

Main street.

Townspeople filled the streets, staring at the fire fight in the distance. The Asgardian members of your recently expanded group prepared for battle, as Thor turned to address Jane.

"Leave this town now. Get yourself and your friends to safety."

"What about you?" she frowned, shaking her head.

"I must stay and fight," Thor answered, as his friends looked at him uneasily, "I'm still a warrior," he reminded them, "and I will fight by your side."

"So will I," you stepped up, much to the surprise of Jane, Selvig and Darcy.

Aaron stood with a proud smile and when the others noticed his lack of concern, they looked at him in confusion.

"Long story," he brushed them off, waving his hand dismissively.

"It would be an honour to have you fight alongside us, Skadi," Volstagg gave you a huge smile, which you returned, before he turned to Thor with a frown, "But you! You're but a mortal now. You'll get yourself killed."

"Or one of us, trying to protect you," Fandral chimed.

"The best thing you can do is get the mortals to safety and leave the battle to us," Sif added in agreement.

Thor looked at the townsfolk all around, all of them oblivious to the oncoming threat.

"You're right," he nodded, much to Sif's surprise; he wasn't one to normally relent so easily.

Thor turned to the four mortals. "Help me clear the streets. I'll let none of these people die this day."

Thor, Jane, Selvig, Darcy and Aaron started herding the crowd of townsfolk off the street, and with a quick nod between you all, you, Sif and the Warriors Three headed across town, towards the Destroyer.

"Keep him distracted," Sif instructed before hurrying off, the rest of you continuing towards the behemoth.

"What do you think?" Fandral asked his fellow Warriors as he sized up the enemy, "'The Svartalfheim Twist'? 'Kiss of the Hag'? 'Face Full of Boot'?"

Volstagg grinned eagerly. "'The Flying Mountain'!"

Hogun and Fandral groaned.

"Not 'The Flying Mountain'!" Fandral protested, "It threw out my back for a year last time!"

"Trust me, it'll work."

Watching the three with a worried expression, you mumbled to yourself under your breath. "I can't believe that this is my life now."

From down the street, Thor looked on anxiously as the four of you got into position before the Destroyer.

"They fight bravely," he commented to Jane, "but they won't be able to hold it back for long."

Hogun and Fandral took off running towards the Destroyer, as Volstagg stood limbering up. When he received the cue from Fandral, he sprinted forward at full speed and caught up to his comrades, who grabbed him on either side and with all their Asgardian might, hurled the voluminous warrior into the air and at the black mental behemoth.

"For Asgaaaaard!" Volstagg yelled.

The Destroyer was unable to react fast enough, and Volstagg crashed into the creature. For a moment, it seemed as if it might have worked, but the enemy remained grounded on its feet. It lifted Volstagg into the air by the scruff of his neck and savagely hurled him at Hogun and Fandral, smashing into them.

Sif leaped off a nearby rooftop with her two-headed spear and plunged it deep into the back of the creature. It stood there motionless, the fire dimming in its faceplate and Sif standing atop its back. The Asgardians had a brief moment of hope.

But it dissipated when the creature stirred with life, its fire igniting once again. Sif looked of with growing trepidation as slowly, unnaturally, the Destroyer spun its torso around one hundred and eighty degrees to face its attackers.

It released a blast of fire at Sif, and that moment was your time to step up. Throwing your hand out, you created an ice blast to counteract the fire, giving Sif the opportunity to dive off of the creature before she got hurt.

The Destroyer rose again to its full height, pulling free from Sif's spear, the weapon slipping through the slats of its armour.

The four of you huddled together and tried to regroup, when the creature unleashed another blast. You created an ice shield this time, projecting it forward to protect you all. The collision was so powerful that it sent each of you flying in different directions.

Thor saw all of you lying injured on the ground, but had no time to act, as the Destroyer fired in his direction.

"No," you groaned, pushing yourself up and trying to fire after the blast, but to no avail.

A storefront near the lab exploded, knocking all of your friends off of their feet. Thor helped Jane and Aaron helped Darcy up, when they noticed Selvig lying on his back amidst the debris, impaled by a twisted piece of iron.

They hurried to his side. He was losing blood, and going into shock. Jane took his hand as Thor spotted Hogun's pouch of healing stones lying in the middle of the street, where it had landed when he was sent flying through the air only a few moments ago.

Thor made a break for the pouch, dodging through the flaming wreckage, then grabbing it and racing back. He opened the pouch to find the fragile stones crushed and useless. He poured the contents out in his hand.

"Come on... give me one!" he growled.

Amidst the useless powder, he finally found one stone still intact. Thor tossed the pouch aside and held the stone over the end of the iron rod.

"What are you doing?" Jane asked, "What is that?"

As the stone began to glow, Thor crushed it. The others looked on, amazed, as the glowing powder fell upon the piece of iron, dissolving it, heading downwards until it reached Selvig's wound, healing it completely.

Thor looked down the street, seeing his wounded friends and cousin still lying there, as Selvig sat up in utter astonishment. The doctor reached through the hole in his shirt to touch his healed flesh.

Looking to Jane, he raised one brow. "I'm really starting to like him."

Jane turned, only to see that Thor had already taken off down the street. The god reached you and Sif, lying dazed, battered and bloodied on the ground. He quickly pulled you behind a burning vehicle before doing the same to Sif.

"Go, while you can!" he urged both of you.

"But the others..." you argued, shaking your head.

"You can't help them now. Your jobs are to survive."

Sif struggled to sit up as he snapped back. "No! I will die a warrior's death. Stories will be told of this day-"

Thor gently took her shield from her. "Live and tell those stories yourself."

At last, she nodded. Thor spotted Volstagg lying unconscious, with Hogun and Fandral lying nearby, and rushed over to them.

Volstagg was barely breathing. Thor tried to pull him to safety, but it was no use; he wouldn't budge. The god roused Hogun and Fandral.

"Get him out of here!"

"No. Can still fight!" Fandral stood up confidently.

"But not win. Move Volstagg, or he'll die!" Thor looked at his friends and seeing their forlorn expressions, grinned in assurance. "Don't worry, my friends. I have a plan."

The two Warriors reluctantly grabbed their fallen friend and dragged him away from the battlefield. After they went, Thor turned back to the Destroyer, then tossed Sif's shield aside. He strode down the street towards the behemoth, completely defenceless.

"Brother..." Thor called out, striding closer, "for whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to lead you to do this, I am sorry. But these people have done nothing to you. They are innocents." He continued towards the Destroyer. "Take my life, and know I will never return to Asgard."

Thor reached the Destroyer and extended his arms. The creature hesitated; sizing up the defenceless Thor, then swatted him with its enormous arm. The sickening crack of breaking bones resounded in the air as Thor went flying.

He landed in a crumpled, broken heap in front of Smith Motors, before Jane, Selvig, Darcy and Aaron. The wounded Asgardians watched helplessly from down the street, a look of horror on their faces. Jane tried to rush out to Thor's aid, but Selvig held her back.

"Jane, no!" He pulled her to safety.

Thor's eyes closed, his last breath leaving his lips. The Destroyer stood over Thor's body, lowering its head towards him. It opened its faceplate, locking it in place and readying to release its fiery blast.

With a shake of your head and fuelled by rage, you charged down the street, running towards the creature with determination. Aaron went crazy when he saw you, crying out desperately for you to get away.

But you stood your ground, clenching your jaw as you replied. "I'm not losing anyone else." You looked from the doctor, to Thor, to the Destroyer, assuming a battle stance. "Not if I can help it."

As if on cue, the creature opened its mouth and released its blast, but you were ready for it, and with a loud yell, extended two open hands in front of you, projecting a torrent of ice that resisted the fiery blast.

Meanwhile, inside the crater at the S.H.I.E.L.D base, the runes on the side of Mjolnir reappeared, burning bright. Electricity started to crackle on the hammer's surface and scientists beside it took notice as it vibrated, and a rumble came from overhead. They looked up, seeing clouds forming in the sky above.

Just then, with a crack and a flash of lightning, Mjolnir flew straight up into the air like a rocket.

You were still going at it, producing a seemingly never-ending surge of ice at the creature to keep the fire at bay. It was preventing it, yes, but you were struggling to get it to stop.

Projecting continuously took a lot out of you, and you could hear your heartbeat in your ears and feel the blood rush to your head as your stance became shaky. But you pushed through, refusing to give up despite the fact that you were beginning to slip away.

Just when you thought you couldn't take anymore, a blinding bolt of lightning struck down from above, colliding with the Destroyer's blast. The explosion was massive, and you mustered up a shield to protect yourself from it as it sent the Destroyer flying backwards, a cloud of dust enveloping the street.

As the smoke cleared, there stood the Mighty Thor, clad in his full battle armour, holding Mjolnir in his hand - the God of Thunder once more. Thor kneeled, bringing Mjolnir down onto the ground.

Lightning shot of out the sky and struck the Destroyer, causing it to convulse. With a smile on your face, you watched it all occur, your smile growing even bigger when your cousin extended a hand to help you up.

"Hey, how come I don't get the fancy cape and armour?" you pouted slightly, making Thor chuckle.

"You've got the hair," he reminded.

You shrugged, smirking slightly. "True."

The two of you looked at each other for a few seconds, both knowing what the other was thinking. Then, you turned to the creature.

"Ready?"

"Always."

With a deep breath, you shut your eyes and summoned all of your power; when you reopened them, your hair and eyes assumed their platinum colour as you raised yourself up on an ice platform.

Beside you, Thor swung Mjolnir around, taking off straight up into the air, as the Destroyer got back on its feet and looked up at the two gods in front of him.

Storm clouds gathered around Thor as he summoned gale force winds, and little snowflakes swirled from your fingers as you moved them around. Debris from the battle began to rise up into the sky, but the Destroyer remained in its spot, kept grounded by the ice you had solidified around its feet.

It lifted its head up at Thor, opened its faceplate and unleashed its blast. Thor dove downwards straight at it, with Mjolnir before him. The hammer collided with the fiery energy blast, overpowering it and pushing it back, forcing it down at the Destroyer.

The God of Thunder jammed his hammer deep into the creature's faceplate, forcing the fiery energy to build up inside the creature and explode within it.

Thor smashed the Destroyer to the ground in a tremendous heap, the fire within it extinguished forever.

Pulling Mjolnir from the faceplate, Thor walked away from its lifeless carcass. As he did so, the other objects and debris pulled into the air by the gale force winds dropped down from the skies around the Destroyer, burying it. You descended too, joining your cousin.

Now that it was safe, your friends and the rest of the Asgardians hurried over to the two of you. A battered Coulson and several S.H.I.E.L.D agents approached as well.

"Just a man, huh?"

✧ ✧ ✧

Minutes later. Bifrost landing site.

"Heimdall!" Thor called up to the sky, "Open the Bifrost!"

Nothing happened at Thor's request, prompting the god to look to the other Asgardians in concern.

"He would open it if he could. I fear the worst."

"Then we're trapped here forever," Volstagg remarked.

"Then I suppose we'd best start settling into our new lives." Fandral looked to Darcy, turning on the charm. "Are all Earth maidens as fair as you?"

Enjoying the attention, Darcy smiled coyly. "No."

Thor shouted back up to the sky in a second attempt to reach the gatekeeper. "Heimdall!"

Suddenly, the Bifrost exploded down from the sky. Thor grinned, as the mortals looked on in amazement.

Fandral turned to Darcy with an apologetic face. "Sorry, my love. These things happen."

He walked off to join the other Asgardians at their side, as Thor turned to Coulson.

"Know this, son of Coul. You and I, we fight for the same cause - they protection of this world. From this day forward, count me as your ally." He paused for a beat, then continued. "If you return the items you have stolen from Jane Foster."

"Not stolen. Borrowed." Jane shot him a look, and Coulson quickly proceeded. "You'll get your equipment back. You're going to need it to continue your research... which, after today's events, S.H.I.E.L.D would like to fully sponsor. If that's all right with you."

Thor took Jane's hand and kissed it tenderly. She looked at him, her eyes filled with the fear that she may never see him again.

"Whatever fate lies before me, you are part of it," he said to her before taking her in his arms and kissing her passionately.

When he pulled away, he turned his attention to you. "As are you, (Y/N)."

"Of course." You nodded. "Family first, right?"

Thor gave a small smile. "Are you certain I cannot convince you to return with me to Asgard?"

"Nah," you declined his offer, looking around the area, "I have my own duties to perform. Here." Your gaze landed on Aaron next to you, and you smiled softly at him before looking back to Thor. "This is my home."

Thor bowed his head slightly to show his understanding, then looked to Aaron.

"Farewell, Aaron Jacobson. Thank you for your help, and thank you for taking care of (Y/N)."

"Oh, it's-" the usually silver-tongued doctor was suddenly at a loss for words, "No need to thank me. Really."

With a smile, Thor glanced back at you. "He cares deeply for you, you know."

Looking at Aaron, you beamed brightly, maintaining eye contact with him even while answering Thor. "I know."

"Until we meet again," Thor said finally, stepping back.

"Until we meet again," you nodded in agreement.

With a final smile, Thor and the Asgardians leapt into the Bifrost.

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