Earth.
Inside the helicarrier, a piercing alarm rang out across the control room.
[High-energy quantum reaction detected. Spatial convergence confirmed, consistent with the Third Principle of the Rosen Bridge.]
[Match confirmed: Asgardian Bifrost transmission detected.]
[Coordinate calculation complete.]
[Latitude: 19.45°N, Longitude: 99.52°W]
[Arrival imminent. Countdown: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... 0.]
As the countdown ended, every S.H.I.E.L.D. agent in the cabin turned toward the port-side window.
They were currently over North America, and they could clearly see the transmission from high in the sky.
Sure enough—
A blinding, multicolored beam pierced the atmosphere, distorting the surrounding space as it shot downward like a heavenly torrent.
"Sir, how should we respond?"
Maria Hill turned from the left side of the control panel and asked calmly.
At the command station, even without turning to look, Nick Fury—ever the commanding presence—responded with firm authority:
"How long will it take the helicarrier to reach the site?"
An agent quickly answered:
"We're currently near the border of Mexico State, only 109 kilometers from the coordinates. At full power, we can be there in under 3 minutes."
Nick Fury issued the order without hesitation:
"Turn us around. Move out."
"Let's give those aliens a little reminder that this is Earth."
He was still annoyed about the way the aliens had behaved lately—especially when Thor was whisked away a few days ago without so much as a word.
Since the Battle of New York, Fury had made great strides developing Earth's technology using salvaged Chitauri tech.
The helicarrier's strength, speed, and firepower had improved drastically. It now boasted an energy shield and flight capabilities that nearly rivaled those of a Quinjet.
Thanks to a specially-equipped satellite array, they could now even detect spatial fluctuations.
A slight smirk tugged at Nick Fury's lips. He could already imagine the look on those Asgardians' faces when they saw Earth's upgraded mothership again.
Three minutes later.
A group of top agents stood on the deck, staring blankly at the ground below.
Nick Fury's face darkened like an overripe plum.
So much for dramatic entrances—there wasn't even anyone left to witness his show of strength.
All that remained at the teleportation site was a faint mark. Whoever had arrived was long gone.
Clenching his jaw, Fury muttered, "This is an interstellar diplomatic violation. I want to file a formal protest!"
Phil Coulson, ever the realist, replied flatly:
"Sir, if you want to protest, we'd at least need an embassy. We don't even know how to contact Asgard."
Fury's face turned even darker.
New York City — The Sanctum Sanctorum.
Thor sat on the couch, holding a self-refilling beer stein in one hand. After taking a deep swig, he wiped his mouth and said cheerfully:
"Uncle Luo, why did we bother using the Bifrost to come here? Wouldn't it have been easier if you just opened a portal?"
Though Asgard's Bifrost had been destroyed by Loki, Heimdall's golden sword could still be used to generate a similar teleportation effect.
It was just slower—nothing compared to Russell's portals.
Doctor Strange, sipping brandy nearby, nearly choked on his drink when he heard that. He turned to Russell, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Wait—are you telling me you went to Asgard and became sworn brothers with Odin?!"
Russell rolled his eyes.
"That was just one of Odin's little tricks. He made me swear brotherhood so I'd protect Thor."
Then he began to recount the full prophecy...
Tony sighed after hearing this.
"As expected of the gods from Norse mythology—they're always so superstitious."
"If fate hadn't changed, the TVA would've been disbanded long ago."
Thor asked curiously, "What's the TVA? Do those letters stand for something in S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Russell replied impatiently, "Don't ask too many questions, kid."
As the most wanted criminal, he wasn't about to explain the situation to Thor in detail.
Thor shrank back a little.
Ever since he had seen Russell break Odin's restrictions with ease, summon Mjolnir in Asgard, and unleash that devastating power of thunder and fire, he had placed Russell in the same league as Odin himself.
So, he didn't even mind being called "nephew" by him.
This guy is seriously powerful. If he gives me even a few tips on how to control the power of Thor properly, maybe I won't have to keep dying all the time...
Tony picked up the conversation again, asking with interest, "You didn't use a portal to return here for no reason. You must have something planned, right?"
Russell smiled and replied, "Of course. It's about S.H.I.E.L.D."
"The Serpent must gather the power of fear to break his seal. Every bit of our victory counts."
"So before that happens, I need Nick Fury to fully cooperate with me."
He turned to Thor and added, "Nephew, have you had enough to drink? It's time to get to work."
He had returned to the Sanctum Sanctorum first—mainly to tell Tony the full prophecy and avoid any unexpected accidents.
Thor took one last sip from his glass and quickly set it down.
Russell nodded, and with a thought, a golden portal opened!
On the other side was the coast of Norway.
Thor followed through and looked around at the empty seaside, asking in confusion, "Why are we here? Just to enjoy the view?"
Russell was speechless.
That blank look… Yeah, this guy isn't much smarter than the Thor from the Sacred Timeline.
That's why he had held a private conversation with Odin in Asgard just now.
Some things were better left unsaid to Thor—for now.
Russell said, "Don't bother looking around. The people we're meeting haven't arrived yet."
Thor was even more confused.
Weren't we supposed to meet with S.H.I.E.L.D.? So why are we here instead?
But Russell didn't explain.
The Nick Fury of this timeline was quite similar to the one from the Sacred Timeline.
He didn't trust anyone.
Unlike the previous world where he worked with the Ancient One frequently, he now knew just how dangerous and unpredictable the real world could be.
That's why Russell needed an old acquaintance to act as the chicken to warn the monkeys.
At that moment, the sky suddenly darkened!
A strong wind rose, and dark green energy appeared out of thin air, swirling violently as it gathered.
At the same time—
Nick Fury, who had just returned to the Helicarrier, was alerted again!
This time, the location was—Norway!
A high-level energy reading had been detected along with spatial fluctuations!
Fury's face turned nearly black with frustration.
Without hesitation, he ordered the Helicarrier to launch immediately!
No matter what kind of invader this was, he was determined to make them taste the upgraded firepower of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s top weapons.
In the gusting wind—
A portal opened in the center of the green energy.
The next second, a woman stepped out gracefully. Her black combat suit was torn and battle-worn.
Hela struck a dramatic pose, glanced at the two men before her, and said casually:
"So... the old man is dead?"
"What a shame. I actually wanted to see him one last time."
But instead of seeing sorrow or rage on the faces of the two Asgardians across from her, she was met with something else.
The big guy with thick brows, wide eyes, and bulging muscles sneered and said:
"Sister, are you hallucinating from hunger?"
"Where did you crawl out from? Even your clothes look like they've been through a trash compactor. And now you just stroll up here like it's nothing."
"What do you mean the old man is dead? Which old man are you talking about? Your father?"
Thor might not have been a tech expert, but after a few years on Earth, he had learned a thing or two—especially from Bucky, who'd taught him quite a few creative insults.
He wasn't stupid.
He could see the mockery and hostility in her eyes from the start.
So he didn't hold back either.
As he said it, he even raised his eyebrows proudly at Russell, as if to say, "See? Not bad, huh?"
Hela was dumbfounded.
This whole situation—waking up from the seal, returning to the world—it was nothing like what she had imagined!
Why was this idiot insulting her out of nowhere?
Russell looked at the smug Thor and said seriously, "Nephew."
"Do you think there's a possibility… that her father is also your father?"
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