A few moments later, the air in the small house grew heavy. Jane, Darcy, and Selvig lingered near the table while Susan and Ethan quietly took seats in the corner.
Opposite them, Sif and the Warriors Three stood tall, their armor gleaming in the pale sunlight spilling through the blinds.
Volstagg's booming voice carried first. "We came as fast as the Bifrost would allow. Loki sits on the throne of Asgard."
Ethan leaned forward, his tone sharp. "Let me get this straight. Thor's brother — Loki — plotted against him, stole the throne, and twisted things until Thor believed Odin's death was his fault?"
Fandral nodded gravely. "That's right." He turned to Thor, his expression urgent. "We need you to return. Asgard will fall to his lies unless you stop him."
Selvig's jaw dropped. "The king of— you mean this isn't some elaborate fairy tale?"
Ethan thought, 'Even with everything happening, he still doesn't believe it. Man… what's with this guy?'
Jane's eyes flicked to Thor, full of quiet worry. Darcy muttered under her breath, "So much for 'keeping things light.'"
Thor stood silent, the weight of truth pressing on his shoulders. But before he could respond, a low vibration rumbled through the floorboards. The glass rattled.
Everyone turned as a massive plume of fire and dust blossomed at the town's edge.
A deep boom followed, shaking the windows. Outside, people shouted in alarm, stepping into the streets to see the rising column of smoke.
Thor's expression darkened. "We must move. Evacuate the townspeople. If Loki has sent what I fear, there will be nothing left standing unless we act."
Jane's voice trembled. "But what about you?"
Volstagg thumped his chest with his fist. "He fights with us! Together we—"
"No," Ethan said calmly. He rose from his seat, the corner of his coat brushing Susan's arm as she stood with him.
All eyes turned.
"There's no need for you guys to involve here," Ethan continued, "Loki won't destroy so much as a single stone in this town. I promise you that."
Fandral frowned. "With respect, stranger, this is Asgard's matter. No mortal of Midgard can stop—"
Ethan laughed suddenly, a sound sharp enough to cut the tension. "Mortal of Midgard?" He shook his head, smiling darkly. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all week." His expression hardened, his eyes glinting with fire. "If this truly were an Asgardian matter, it should have been handled on Asgard. But the moment Loki's schemes touched this town—my world—it became my concern. I don't look away."
Susan sighed softly, "Here we go again…"
Ethan lifted his hands. Crimson circles of runes ignited in both palms, swirling with arcane power. He clapped them together, sending a ripple of scarlet energy bursting outward. The wave raced across the town in an instant.
Outside, buildings shimmered faintly, glowing with etched runes of protection. Cars, lampposts, fences, even people themselves bore faint scarlet sigils that pulsed once before fading into invisibility.
Gasps rose from the streets as neighbors looked at one another, realizing they were marked with something unearthly.
Ethan stepped to the window. A small circle of light appeared before his mouth, amplifying his voice across the desert town.
"Hello, everyone. Ethan Carter here." His voice boomed through the air, echoing across Puente Antiguo as if the heavens themselves carried it, "You've seen the explosion at the edge of town, right? Someone is about to attack this town. But fear not — because I am here."
The townsfolk froze but continue listening.
"The spell you feel wrapping around you is my protection. No harm will touch you," Ethan went on. "The town is under my protection. Walls, homes, cars, every living thing is safe. You need only do one thing: return home, and stay inside for thirty minutes. That's all I'll need to clean up some unwanted… visitors."
The circle winked out. A hush spread through the streets — then relief. Mothers ushered children back inside. Shopkeepers pulled shutters down, but with none of the fear that had first rippled through town.
People began whispering Ethan's name, some in awe, others in outright excitement.
"Is it true?" one man murmured. "That's Ethan Carter…"
"Finally, we get to see him fight," said another.
"Better than waiting for the army to show up," muttered a third.
Inside, the Asgardians exchanged glances. Thor's lips curved with something between pride and wonder. "He is a wizard of Midgard," he explained to his companions. "A man I met yesterday, but one whose power I trust."
Thor thought that since this man could lift Mjolnir and prove himself worthy, then surely he could take that thing down.
He turned to Ethan, voice steady. "If you can wield such magic and even Mjolnir, we could end this fight with ease. But tell me—can your sorcery truly shield these people?"
Sif's eyes widened and her sharp voice cut through. "Are you mad, Thor? You trust a wizard you barely know? And what is this nonsense about letting him use your hammer?" Her eyes narrowed at Ethan. "What are you really?"
Ethan met Thor's gaze evenly. "Your hammer isn't mine to use. It's yours and I don't need that to win this fight. And it will answer you again when you've earned it."
Then his eyes shifted to Sif, cold and unwavering. "As for trust… I don't need yours. You'll see with your own eyes soon enough."
Darcy piped up quickly, sensing the tension. "Uh, in case anyone forgot, this guy already stomped some villains and a few other big bads like they were dolls. If anyone can handle what's coming, it's him."
Jane nodded, though worry lingered in her gaze. Selvig simply sat down heavily, muttering in disbelief, "Wizards. Gods. Kings. And now… explosions. What am I going to witness in the future?"
The room held its breath. Outside, smoke still curled into the sky. The enemy was coming.
...
Moments later...
The ground trembled as the Destroyer marched into Puente Antiguo. Each heavy step cracked the pavement beneath its armored feet. Its eyeless helm glowed with building fury before unleashing a searing beam of destructive fire.
The blast ripped across the street—cars, buildings, even the gas station should have been obliterated. But instead, the red glyphs glowing on every surface shimmered. Ethan's protection spell held firm. The flames dissipated harmlessly against the wards.
Inside their homes, townsfolk gasped—and then cheered. Their savior's promise was true: nothing would fall while Ethan Carter stood.
Ethan stood at the center of it all. Hands buried in his pockets, coat billowing faintly in the heat, his piercing blue eyes narrowed as the Destroyer slowed its march toward him.
"Showtime," he murmured.
Behind him, Thor and his companions tensed. Jane, Selvig, and Darcy clutched each other nervously, while Susan Storm remained silent, studying Ethan with sharp eyes.
After meeting Galactus, she had begun seeing the fragments of truths that seemed to stretch far beyond what any human should know.
'How does he know all of this? What else is he hiding?' she wondered, before shaking her head. She knew better than to expect straight answers from him. He never gave them. Instead, she resolved herself to protect the people around them. Whatever Ethan was hiding, whatever he carried, she trusted him to handle the walking metal juggernaut striding toward them.
The Asgardians exchanged uneasy glances. Sif broke the silence. "Can this mortal truly handle it?"
Thor's expression was uncharacteristically firm. "He can. I don't know why… but I want to believe in him."
The Destroyer continued its march, firing beam after beam. Each impact made Ethan's runes flare like veins of molten fire across the town. Cars rattled but remained untouched. Storefronts shook but stood firm. Even the gas station tanks glowed red, shielded from detonation.
The crowd hidden behind curtains erupted in applause. Ethan Carter—the man who stands against anything to protect them.
Ethan tilted his head, unimpressed. Then he raised his voice, his words carrying across the street.
"Come on, charcoal toy! Move faster! And you—Reindeer Helmet Boy—I know you're watching! Make that thing move, will you? I've got other things to do."
The words echoed, and for a moment, silence followed. Then Ethan cringed internally.
'God, that was awful. Trash talk is an art… and I'm painting with crayons. I need to spend more time with Stark. The man practically breathes sarcasm. Even Strange got better at it after hanging out with him in space.' That Infinity War banter? Top tier.
Behind him, Sif actually laughed, and even Fandral and Hogen cracked a grin. Volstagg guffawed loudly enough to shake his belly. Only Thor remained grim, his gaze fixed on Ethan with quiet intensity.
Then Ethan glanced over his shoulder at the thunder god, his tone shifting. "Remember, Thor… with great power comes great responsibility."
Thor froze. His eyes widened as if struck by lightning—not by Ethan's words alone, but by the truth behind them. Responsibility.
His breath caught as memories of his father's lessons echoed in his mind.
Susan, watching closely, arched a brow. 'Really, Ethan? Responsibility? That's rich coming from you. You always dumping yours onto Jean or others after stirring chaos. Hypocrite.' She bit her tongue though, unwilling to shatter the image he was building in front of everyone.
The Destroyer loomed close now, its burning faceplate turning toward Ethan like a predator eyeing prey.
And then Ethan moved.
One instant he stood idle, hands in his pockets. The next, he vanished in a blur, reappearing beneath the towering machine. His fist shot upward with devastating force—an uppercut that cracked like thunder.
A sonic boom cracked the air as his fist slammed into the Destroyer's chin. The armored figure was lifted off the ground and hurled skyward, metal ringing like a bell struck by a hammer.
Gasps echoed from inside homes. Jane clutched her chest. Darcy muttered, "Holy… did he just punch a robot into the sky? Awesome."
Ethan followed, rising into the air in a streak of crimson. His irises glowed blood-red as power surged through him. Flames licked his right arm, lightning sparking along his veins until his entire fist was cloaked in stormfire.
"Let's test your durability, shall we?" he growled, voice carrying across the battlefield. "What do you say, Loki?"
With that, Ethan delivered another strike—an overhand blow that collided with the Destroyer's chest.
Boom!
The impact birthed a massive shockwave, a thunderclap that rolled across the desert. The air itself roared as a massive explosion blossomed high above, painting the sky with fire.
The town below shook, but the wards glowed brighter, keeping every brick and every soul safe.
And in the sky above Puente Antiguo… the battle had ended before it even began.
The massive explosion ripped through the street, flames erupting violently before dissolving into thin air within seconds. Everyone ducked instinctively, shielding themselves, then slowly rose to take in the aftermath.
Hogun groaned, brushing soot from his armor. "Are all wizards in Midgard… like this?"
Everyone's eyes shifted to Susan, silently asking her to confirm the statement.
Susan chuckled softly while glancing at Ethan as he hovered above the street, calm as if nothing had happened. "Don't look at me. I'm not a wizard like him and don't know about that stuff," she said before shaking her head.
The Destroyer had fallen with a thunderous thud, it's body is damaged alot and smoke curling from its joints. Its limbs twitched, then lay still, seemingly incapacitated.
Seconds later, Ethan descended smoothly, landing lightly before them, his blue eyes narrowing at the motionless machine. "It's weaker than it looks. Took me just two blows to finish it, and I wasn't even serious," he said, as if commenting on some simple task.
Darcy's jaw dropped. "Oh my god… I—I think I just wet myself. And… he's so… new crush material!" She trailed off, cheeks flushed.
Selvig yanked a hand over her mouth. "Darcy! Close your mouth! You're drooling!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, the tension in the air easing—for a moment. Laughter and relief rippled through the group.
But suddenly, the Destroyer's head twisted unnaturally. Its helmet opened, revealing the glowing flame inside. A searing beam shot out, aimed directly at Jane, who was walking toward Thor with a hopeful smile.
Thor reacted instantly, lunging to push her out of the way. But Susan was faster. She cast an invisible shield around Jane, Thor's face slammed against the shield, his back recoiling from the impact before taking the blast full-force.
"No!" Jane cried, pressing against the shield, desperate to reach him.
Everyone froze, horror and disbelief etching their faces.
Ethan's voice cut through the panic, calm yet commanding. "You're done for." He raised his hands—one igniting with phoenix fire, the other crackling with power cosmic. The energies collided and surged forward, obliterating the Destroyer in a blinding flash. Molten metal rained down, leaving nothing but twisted scraps of metal.
Ethan immediately turned to Thor, lying burned and motionless on the ground. He dropped to his knees beside him. "Idiot! What were you thinking, jumping like that? I already cast spells on everyone—including Jane. Besides, Susan can protect them!"
Sif's voice cut through sharply, full of anger. "Why didn't you cast your spell on him?"
Ethan's shoulders slumped, guilt flickering across his face. "I didn't think he'd go into the battle. I… I also didn't cast it on all of you. I'm sorry."
But secretly, He gestured his hand behind him, opening a portal to the Mirror Dimension. It shimmered briefly nearby, but everyone ignored it, their attention locked on Jane cradling Thor, tears streaming down her face.
Susan's gaze pierced him. He's too calm… unrealistically calm, she thought. She could see the guilt on his face, but something told her that wasn't truly what he was feeling.
Fandral and Volstagg called out in unison, panic lacing their voices. "Can you heal him? Can you—?"
Before Ethan could answer, a boom echoed through the town. All eyes turned skyward to see Mjolnir hurtling toward Thor.
Ethan reacted instantly, telekinesis rippling through the air. "Move!" His force pushed everyone aside as the hammer landed perfectly on Thor's hand.
Lightning arced violently across Thor's body. His muscles tensed, then relaxed; his burns and scorched flesh healed instantly. A lightning aura enveloped him, and his body began to transform.
The transformation was nothing short of breathtaking. Thor's frame swelled, muscles coiling with the raw, unrestrained strength of Asgard. The scars and burns that had once marred his body vanished, leaving skin as flawless as polished marble. Golden strands of hair caught the morning light, glowing with an almost divine radiance.
His eyes ignited with electricity, arcs of lightning dancing across his irises, alive with untamed power. Slowly, almost reverently, his armor reassembled around him, gleaming and fitting as though it had been made for this very moment. He stood renewed, a storm incarnate, every inch of him radiating the might of a god.
The air around him hummed with the unmistakable energy of a God of Thunder.
Jane gasped, tears of relief spilling down her cheeks. "Oh... My... God!"
Darcy clapped her hands, squealing. "He looks… he looks like a prince from some epic TV show!"
Sif and the Warriors of Asgard smiled with awe written across their faces.
Thor rose, the storm of energy crackling across his shoulders. He smiled faintly at Jane.
Ethan is observing this with a sly grin. 'Everything went according to plan,' he thought.
Ethan's eyes flicked to the remnants of the Destroyer. With a subtle gesture, he gathered and sent the leftover metal fragments into his storage dimension, unnoticed by anyone who was focused entirely on Thor.
Jane rushed to Thor, clutching his arm. "You can't do that again!"
Thor laughed lightly, "I body moved on it's own," he said before nodding toward Ethan.
Susan moved closer to Ethan and whispered to him before narrowing her eyes. "You're way too calm for someone watching your friend nearly die."
Ethan smiled before tilting his head. "I don't know what gave you that feeling, but everything went well."
He gave a subtle nod to himself. 'One step closer to the next part… everything went exactly as planned.'