Chapter 22: Thor's Subtle Approach – Sorcerers, Scientists, and Sanctum Shenanigans.
[EARTH – NEW YORK SANCTUM – DAY]
The Bifrost flared above the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, announcing its arrival with the subtlety of a collapsing skyscraper.
Thor materialized on the rooftop, Mjolnir in hand, already roaring. Jane Foster stumbled out of the light right behind him, instantly clutching a nearby gargoyle for stability.
"Subtlety, Brother! Subtlety!" Loki's parting words (shouted just before the Bifrost closed) echoed uselessly in Thor's mind.
"I am being subtle!" Thor boomed at the sky. He lowered his voice, but it was still loud enough to shatter every window on the block. "This is my quiet voice, meant only for the Sorcerer!"
The front door of the Sanctum—the very one with the circular window—slid open. Doctor Stephen Strange, dressed in his full Master of the Mystic Arts regalia, floated out, looking profoundly irritated.
"I am trying to meditate," Strange stated, adjusting the Cloak of Levitation, which was already twitching with agitation. "Who are you, and why does your transportation method violate at least three interdimensional noise ordinances?"
"I am Thor, Son of Odin, God of Thunder!" Thor declared, stepping forward. "And this is Dr. Jane Foster, the renowned science-lady! We require your assistance in dealing with a highly dangerous, invisible space-worm!"
Jane elbowed Thor. "Thor! Not the space-worm! We're here for the Time Stone!"
Strange looked from the muscular, bellowing god to the exasperated scientist, then at the glowing war hammer. His expression was one of immense weariness.
"I knew it was going to be a Monday," Strange muttered to the Cloak, which seemed to shrug its collar.
"Sorcerer, this is a matter of urgent security," Thor explained, using his aggressive competence voice. "The Space-Worm is attempting to undermine Asgard's structural integrity, and only your time-magic can identify its weak point!"
"There is no space-worm," Strange replied flatly. "You're lying. And that hammer is still too loud."
Thor looked genuinely hurt. "But my mother told me that the 'Space-Worm Alibi' was a foolproof strategic feint!"
Jane stepped forward, shoving Thor aside. "Look, Doctor Strange. We don't have time for this. We're here on behalf of Queen Frigga. Thanos is moving.
We have the Power and Reality Stones. He will come for the Time Stone next. We need to secure it before he arrives."
Strange's flippancy immediately vanished. He recognized the gravity in her eyes and the truth in her words. "Thanos. You're serious."
"Deadly serious," Jane confirmed. "And our security measures currently involve a lot of deception, one very large god, one very angry trickster, and the Goddess of Death."
Strange sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Right. The apocalypse is trending toward 'overly complicated.' Come inside. But keep the hammer quiet."
The Chronology Debate
Inside the Sanctum's main hall, Strange led them to a large table covered in arcane maps and spell components.
"The Eye of Agamotto," Strange said, gesturing to the relic on his chest, "is protected by powerful enchantments. I can't just hand over the Time Stone."
"But if Thanos takes it, the entire continuum collapses!" Jane argued. "We have to hide it or secure it immediately."
"And what happens when you combine it with the two Stones you already have?" Strange countered. "You create a beacon of unimaginable power. You make yourself the ultimate target."
Thor chimed in, pointing Mjolnir at a particularly dusty tapestry. "We are already the ultimate target, Sorcerer! That is the point of being the heroes!"
"The point," Jane said, giving Thor a look that could wilt flowers, "is to survive the heroics. Strange, we know what's coming. We need your help to find the solution to the Soul Stone."
Strange paused, his eyes widening slightly. "The Soul Stone? The one that costs a soul?"
"Yes," I heard Jane say (thanks to a small, magically protected listening device I'd insisted she wear). "My Queen believes the price can be cheated. But we need to know the location of Vormir—the sacrifice planet. Odin couldn't find it."
Strange looked at the Time Stone pendant on his chest. "Vormir is one of the darkest secrets of the cosmos. It's hidden outside the known dimensional grid. Only a very specific kind of spatial magic can locate it."
He looked up at Jane. "I can find it using the Eye of Agamotto, but it would take a massive concentration of power and time—time we don't have, especially if Thanos's scouts are already close."
"We can give you the power," Jane said, her scientist brain lighting up. "We have two Stones and the Eternal Flame contained in Asgard. If we can channel a fraction of that concentrated energy to you, could you locate Vormir instantly?"
Strange considered the risk. Combining the magic of the Stones, even remotely, was dangerous. But the alternative was certain death. "It's insane. But perhaps survivable. I need a clear line of power, and I need a very large magical conduit."
The Unseen Threat
Just as Strange agreed, the entire Sanctum shook. Not from Thor's arrival, but from an external, magical force.
"What was that?" Thor demanded, spinning around.
Strange looked up, his brow furrowed. "That wasn't physical. That was a localized magical tear. Someone is trying to force entry—someone extremely powerful."
A cold voice echoed from the hall. "I know you have it, Sorcerer. Hand over the Time Stone, or I will dismantle this structure piece by agonizing piece."
It was one of Thanos's Black Order—Ebony Maw.
Thor grabbed Mjolnir. "A worthy challenger! I shall engage him! This is not the Space-Worm, but it will do!"
"No, Thor, wait!" Strange yelled. "This is Maw! His power is psychic and telekinetic—he can disarm you without touching you!"
"I don't need a distraction," Jane Foster muttered to herself, eyes fixed on Strange. "I need the conduit."
Jane pointed at the Eye of Agamotto. "We don't have time! Strange, you said you needed a large conduit? Use Mjolnir!"
Thor and Strange stared at her.
"What? It's a massive, enchanted piece of metal," Jane argued. "It's the best conductor we have!"
Strange hesitated, looking at the approaching threat. He looked at the purity of Jane's scientific logic, then at the massive hammer.
"It's insane," Strange concluded, grabbing the hammer's handle. "But so is everything else about this week."
Thor looked thrilled. "My hammer, used for science! Finally, a true purpose!"
Strange channeled the power of the Eye, running a surge of green light from the Time Stone directly into Mjolnir. The hammer began to glow with a brilliant, swirling emerald energy.
"Jane, contact your mother!" Strange commanded, the effort of wielding the power immense. "Tell her to channel the two Stones to the Bifrost on a highly specific coordinate! We need a split-second energy spike!"
Jane grabbed her communicator. "Queen Frigga! We need the Power and Reality Stones! Channel them through the Bifrost to the Sanctum roof... now! We're searching for Vormir!"
To Be Continued...