A/N: Happy New Year!

Chapter 11: Visitors

In a land untouched by mortal men, a shining city reached for the heavens and spanned from horizon to horizon. Towers of gold and glass scrapped the sky, the shortest among them several times taller than any building built by man. Sustained by a fusion of magic and science, wielding advanced technology and sorcery as one in the same. From the perspective of humankind, this was the home of gods.

Asgard.

The lord of the land, Odin, was sleeping in the city's citadel. His power alone could protect the people of Asgard, but he required rest once a year to sustain his strength. Enemies of the realm attacked during the brief times when Odin could not defend himself, seeking to destroy him and all in Asgard. As regular as the cycle of the seasons, invaders attacked and were repelled only to attack again in the next Odinsleep.

Ice Giants of Jotunheim waged war on the Asgardians during the Odinsleep, their armies from the frozen realm marching on Asgard's walls. Numbers beyond measure poured through a rift between the realms, dark magic keeping it open while Odin was unable to seal the breach. Legions of giants, trolls, and goblins clashed with the Asgardian armies defending the city, like a wave crashing against a shore.

Leading the defense of Asgard was the Lady Sif, commander of the Valkyries. A legion of women riding winged horses diving onto the battlefield, cleaving off the heads of their foes with their swords. Lady Sif's black hair flowed in the wind, even as the blood of her enemies spilled all around her. She commanded her steed to charge through a mass of giants, slaying her way through the enemy forces ahead of the Warriors Three.

Fandral the Dashing, the best with a blade, was slaying goblins that managed to find themselves behind the Lady Sif. He refused to wear a helmet even in battle, as Fandral liked to have his short blond hair and goatee on display for all to see. Not a single drop of blood stained his hair, as the strikes of his sword were so precise that he could direct spilled blood away from himself. Wearing green clothing that left only his arms bare, Fanral pictured himself as the ideal man for the ladies.

Hogun the Grim, master of the mace, fought beside his comrade Fandral. Each swing of his mace crushed the bones of every goblin and troll that was caught beneath it, and he didn't care how much blood spilled onto his black and blue armor. A fur lined helmet covered his black hair, leaving only his determined face exposed with his black beard.

Volstagg the Valiant, the gluttonous grappler, tore apart the foes that attempted to outflank his comrades. Wider than he was tall, Volstagg's deceptive fat lured in his foes to their demise. Spilled blood stained his red hair and thick beard, and more blood sprayed on Volstagg as he tore trolls apart limb by limb.

The Warriors Three followed Lady Sif through the battlefield, leaving a path of torn flesh and spilled blood in their wake. Asgardian forces held back the Ice Giants on the left and right flanks, holding their ground against the enemy. The invading hordes continued to press against the defenders, making the Asgardians pay for each of their own slain. For just a moment it seemed like the Asgardian line would break, before the sound of thunder echoed across the battlefield.

Korra the Avatar, the Champion of Midgard, rode into battle atop her polar bear-dog Naga. The Avatar wore platemail armor and a red cape, along with a new winged helmet that covered her brown hair. The beast bore armor fit for a war hound, and Naga crushed enemy soldiers whole beneath her large front paws. Wielding the enchanted uru-hammer Mjolnir, Korra possessed the power of the Thunderer. Each swing and thrust of the hammer shot lightning at the enemy, slaying dozens of tightly packed soldiers at a time.

Leaping off Naga into a horde of goblins and trolls, Korra swung her hammer at anything within her reach. Skulls shattered and bones broke in each strike, slaying every enemy around Korra. The thrill of battle was nearly enough to make Korra forget about losing her ability to command the elements, even if she had never been able to command the air in the first place. Here Korra was a soldier, fighting for a realm that had asked for her help.

Advancing through the enemy forces Korra caught up with Lady Sif, both slaughtering giants that attempted to stop them. Once she was in position Korra used her hammer to fire lightning into the horde ahead of her, while Sif used her sword to slay the foes that slipped past Korra's attack. Behind them the Warriors Three and Naga spread out to protect their flanks, funneling the enemy into Korra's lightning.

Just when it seemed like the fighting would never end, a giant horn sounded from behind enemy lines. Fighting continued where invaders met Asgardians, but the forces immediately behind the front lines ceased their advance. Ice Giants commanding the invaders gave the order to fall back and regroup, lest more of their own fall to the power of the Thunderer.

"They're retreating!" Sif announced, while skewering a goblin's chest.

Korra stopped her lightning attack and saw the enemy withdrawing. Behind her the armies of Asgard cheered for victory. "Is it really over?" Korra asked, turning towards the Warriors Three.

"Nay," Hogun answered, taking a second to bash a dying troll's face with his mace. "Tis only a respite, they'll be back."

Nearby Fandral casually sliced off the head of a wounded goblin, barely bothering to look at the foe before the strike. "They'll return in the morning with more soldiers."

"But for tonight, we feast," Volstagg declared, patting his large belly. "I can smell the kitchens cooking already."

Fandrall jabbed an elbow into Volstagg's arm. "You always smell that."

"For him, they are always cooking," Hogun added, poking fun at his comrade's appetite.

"Tis true," Volstagg said, laughing with his comrades.

Lady Sif ignored the jests at Volstagg's expense, overlooking the battlefield as the enemy withdrew. There had been casualties during the battle, as there always were in every Odinsleep. But this time there were more dead and dying than usual. For a moment she doubted if they could hold off the next attack, wondering if the time had come for Ragnarok.

In times past when such doubt was in her mind, Sif had the comfort of her only love. But that was no longer possible, as the Thunderer's power had passed to another. "What happened to you Thor?"


In another realm known to Asgardians as Midgard, sitting in a padded cell, was the man once known as the god of thunder. Stripped of his title and power by Odin himself, Thor had been exiled to Midgard for his arrogance. Now in a place called Republic City, the locals had arrested him on sight. Blond hair was literally out of this world in the human realm, attracting the attention of everyone around him. Unaware that he had broken something called 'traffic laws' by walking in front of a horseless carriage, Thor had been immediately imprisoned by the city's metal sorcerers.

Having told the truth about himself and why he had been banished, Thor was declared insane and thrown into an asylum. At best the human knowledge of Asgardian lore was a mere child's bedtime story, and at worst it was blasphemy against the spirits that some humans worshiped. Thor's explanations of his origins were ignored as the ramblings of a madman, and he was left inside the padded asylum cell with only himself for company.

Now Thor sulked in the corner of his cell, bound in a straightjacket like all the other inmates. Chunks of his blond hair had been cut off by humans, once they learned that it was naturally that color instead of dyed yellow. Humans studied Thor's blond hair as if it were a mutation, trying to find out what possible benefits it could possess. They would find nothing remarkable other than the color, as without his power Thor was just as mortal as the humans.

Alone in his cell Thor wondered if this was what Odin had intended, that he would find humility in a primitive madhouse. But all he found was resentment towards his father, thinking that Odin had greatly overreacted in banishing him. Each passing moment Thor missed the company of his comrades, from lovely Sif to each of the Warriors Three. Even Loki was missed, though Thor suspected that his trickster brother might have had a hand in making his banishment happen.

There was a knock on the door to Thor's cells, getting his attention. "Go away," Thor demanded, despite it always falling on deaf ears.

The door opened anyway, and the person entering surprised Thor by having a familiar face. "Is that any way to greet your brother?"

For a moment Thor didn't believe his eyes, staring at Loki here in the flesh. Though Loki wore a green business suit and could blend in with the humans, it was still him to Thor. Right away Thor got onto his feet, but with his arms bound in the straightjacket he could not greet Loki properly. "Tis good to see you," Thor admitted.

"Aye," Loki said, closing the door once he was inside. "But I bear ill tidings."

"What has happened?" Thor asked.

"Mjolnir has been claimed by another," Loki answered.

"Impossible," Thor claimed.

Loki held out one hand with the palm facing up, conjuring an illusion in front of Thor. A miniature image of Avatar Korra appeared, wielding the uru-hammer Mjolnir. At first Thor didn't believe it, as illusions could be made to show anything. But when the image showed Korra using the hammer to destroy a human airship, the fine detail was clear enough to tell Thor that it had really happened. That Loki had been there when Korra used Mjolnir.

"Even now she strives to take your place," Loki claimed, closing his hand to dispel the illusion. "The Odinsleep is upon us, and she is in Asgard fighting in father's defense."

With eyes downcast, Thor slumped back against the padded wall. "Then there's no hope," he muttered. "I can't go home now."

"You're wrong brother," Loki said. "Asgard needs you now more than ever." With a wave of his hand Loki conjured another illusion, this time filling half of the cell. Loki showed Thor a battle between the Destroyer and the Hulk, which ended in the Destroyer's destruction. "Odin's last defense is no more."

For a moment Thor stared at the image, fear for his home growing in his mind. For the first time it seemed possible that the end of days for Asgard may be at hand, that without him his home would burn in Ragnarok. "This could be the end of everything," Thor speculated.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Loki assured, dispelling the illusion once more. From inside his suit Loki drew a small dagger and he started cutting apart the straightjacket binding Thor.

"You would defy father's decree?" Thor questioned.

"It wouldn't be the first time," Loki said.

Once Loki was finished the straightjacket was cut into confetti, Thor took a moment to stretch his freed arms. "How will you get us home?" Thor asked. "I cannot use the Bifrost."

"There are other ways to reach Asgard, but first we have to get you out of here," Loki said, putting away his dagger. Loki used a few hand motions to conjure another illusion, creating a double of Thor with the straightjacket still intact. "The mortals will never even know you're gone."


In Asgard's golden citadel, a feast was held for the defenders of the realm. The citadel's dining hall was longer than the eye could see, filled with the men and women that were victorious in battle. Food and drink were piled onto the long tables in the hall, every cuisine known to Asgardians was on the menu. Everyone ate to their hearts content, some more than others.

Volstagg had been stuffing his face with spit roasted boar when Naga planted her front paws just a few feet away, and the polar bear-dog devoured several baked chickens whole. Next to her best friend Korra declared an eating contest, which Volstagg gladly obliged. It had been centuries since anyone could come close to the sheer volume of food Volstagg could consume, and Naga certainly tried to match him. Dozens of pig, turkey, and fish vanished in under half an hour, before Naga's head fell against the table unable to eat any more.

"A valiant attempt," Volstagg complimented, patting Naga behind the ears. "You've gotten me to remember what being full felt like."

"No small feat," Hogun added, sitting across from Volstagg and taking his time to enjoy every bite of salmon.

Nearby Korra laughed at the joke, before going back to sampling as many different dishes as she could manage. Everything on the table was exotic to her, all coming from animals that weren't like the hybrids of Earth. Korra was taking a bite of fried ham when she noticed Fandrall taking a seat next to her. "Need something?" Korra asked.

Leaning a little too close for comfort, Fandrall offered Korra a pint of ale. "Just thought I might get to know the new girl," he said.

"Alright," Korra said, grabbing the pint. She lifted it to her lips and drank it all at once, letting a small amount dribble onto her chin. When the pint was empty she slammed it on the table, immediately feeling the effect of ale much stronger than ordinary liquor. With her inhibitions lowered, Korra did what felt natural against unwelcome advances. She punched Fandrall in the face.

Silence fell across the hall as Fandrall hit the floor, all sight on Korra. For a moment Korra wondered if she had been too blunt, until she saw smiles form on the nearest Asgardians. All at once they started brawling with each other, fists and feet hurling at anything that moved. Only a few remained in their seats and continued eating, taking the occasional moment to block an incoming strike. Without even looking behind himself Hogun held up a fist and let an attacker run into it, then continued his meal.

The benign brawl lasted for an hour, all goodhearted sparring that left no permanent injuries. It was part of Asgardian tradition during the Odinsleep, allowing the warriors to fight for the fun of it instead of for survival. There were some bruises and scrapes in the free for all fight, nothing that Asgard's healers couldn't mend with magic.

Not in the mood for more fighting, Korra left the dining hall unnoticed in the chaos. Carrying her hammer through the citadel Korra wandered towards the quarters that had been provided when she first arrived. Without a guide in the massive structure, Korra got lost for half an hour trying to find her destination. Eventually she found the door to the room given to her, high in the citadel.

The sheer size of her quarters still surprised Korra, as it could hold Tenzin's house ten times over. The bed alone was larger than her old room, made of the finest mahogany and lined with silk sheets. Korra set her hammer down on a table and walked over to some large curtains and opened them, taking in the view of Asgard through large windows. Even at night the view took Korra's breath away, the gold towers shining below stars so different from the ones at home. And in the distance was the coastline, with the Rainbow Bridge that connected the city to the Bifrost that brought Korra to this strange realm.

A knock at the door got Korra's attention. "Come in."

The door opened and revealed Sif outside, escorting Naga to Korra's quarters. The polar bear-dog leaped onto the large bed and laid down on the end, only taking up a small portion of the space. Sif followed into the room, her gaze falling on the hammer before Korra. "How are you settling in?"

"It's still a shock," Korra admitted. She turned away from the window and took a few steps towards Sif. "I don't think I could ever get used to this place."

"You can return to Midgard when Odin awakes," Sif reminded.

"Yeah, I know," Korra said. She looked at the hammer still on the table, thinking that it was the only reason she was here. "Sif, why can't one of your people use that hammer?"

"One used to, before he was banished," Sif answered. She walked over to the hammer and traced one finger along the handle. "Odin enchanted Mjolnir so that only the worthy can wield it, to teach Thor a lesson."

"Who's Thor?" Korra asked.

"Odin's son," Sif asked.

"Hang on a sec," Korra said, her hand rising to her chin. She remembered someone claiming to be the Son of Odin, but had thought the man was crazy at the time. "Did he have yellow hair by any chance?"

Sif nodded. "As bright as the sun itself," she described.

Korra sat down on the edge of the bed, feeling guilty about taking the weapon that had belonged to someone else. "I didn't know," she muttered. "I didn't mean to replace him."

"That doesn't matter now," Sif said. "What's done is done, we cannot change that."

Looking out the window at the night sky, Korra wondered where Earth was in the cosmos. "Sif, when this is over, will you come to Earth with me?"

"What?" Sif blurted out, not expecting that request.

"Help me find Thor," Korra asked. "We can give the hammer back to him."

"If he is worthy of it," Sif added.

"We won't find out if we don't find him," Korra reasoned.

Sif looked back at the hammer, missing the sight of it in Thor's grip. "Very well, we'll depart for Midgard once the Odinsleep is past.

With that matter settled, Sif left the room and closed the door behind her. With just Naga for company, Korra figured that she should get some sleep. She knew that battle would resume in the morning, and that she would need as much rest as possible. Korra climbed into the large and comfortable bed and closed her eyes, finding it easy to fall asleep.

But while Korra slept she had visions of another life, seeing a close friend of Avatar Aang wield a weapon forged from metal that had fallen from the heavens.


On Midgard it was still early evening as Loki led Thor through a rocky wasteland, as desolate as any place in Niffleheim. Hundreds of large stone columns were scattered about the landscape, some of which had been broken apart in a battle decades past. Much of the land was scorched and barren, evidence of a great fire long ago. Life had only just begun to reclaim the ground it had lost in flame, intentionally left alone by man to let nature heal itself over the decades.

"Why are we here?" Thor asked, following a few steps behind Loki.

Walking around one of the many stone columns, Loki knew they were getting close to their destination. "Until Mjolnir is yours again, you will require a substitute power. And it is not far from where we walk."

"On Midgard?" Thor questioned, finding the idea ridiculous.

Rather than waste his breath with a response, Loki quickened his pace to reach the destination sooner. They passed several broken stone columns and more scorched landscape, before entering a mechanical graveyard. Large fragments of old airborne vessels littered the scorched ground, crashed here long ago and left to rust in peace. Near the rust-red crash sites was a river, with a stone hill next to it.

"There it is," Loki said, pointing to the stone hill.

Half embedded in stone, with its handle exposed and angled upward, was a sword. The blade was four centimeters wide and had a foot of its length exposed to the elements, while the handle was brown with a golden hilt. It would have been like any other jian sword, but had one key difference. The sword had a black blade.

Walking by his brother's side Thor approached the black sword. "Is that… uru?"

"Indeed," Loki answered, stopping next to the stone hill holding the sword. "Mortals found a sample of uru-ore that crashed on this world. From that ore this weapon was forged, crude by our standards but powerful nevertheless."

Thor took the last few steps to reach the stone hill, his right hand reaching for the sword. Fingers wrapped around the handle, testing the weapon's grip. And then Thor let go. "This weapon is useless," Thor declared, turning towards Loki. "It has no enchantment to give it power."

Expecting that reaction, Loki grinned. "That's why I've contacted a friend."

Loki raised his left hand and turned it away from Thor, his palm pointed towards empty space. Green mystical power coalesced around Loki's hand while he concentrated, before releasing the energy in a single burst. A dozen feet away the energy impacted the barrier between the realms, ripping open a portal in thin air. A swirling green vortex connected Midgard to Asgard, allowing an Asgardian woman to step through before the portal closed behind her.

The woman from the portal was tall and skinny, with light blond hair that reached her back. She wore green sleeveless clothes with a short skirt over black pants, while her face was framed in a green headband. Ignoring the landscape around her, she walked straight towards Thor. And Thor gazed at her, recognizing her from Asgard.

"Amora?" Thor muttered.

"Yes," she answered. "I have not abandoned you like Sif has."

Loki took a few steps be next to Amora, and then faced his brother. "I see that you remember the Enchantress."

"None could forget Amora," Thor complimented. He closed the distance to Amora and kissed her hand. "You are a sight for sore eyes."

"I've missed you too," Amora said. "And together we can restore your power."

"How?" Thor asked. "It is bound to Mjolnir."

"That's where the sword comes in," Loki said.

Amora nodded to Loki, and then put her attention back on Thor. "Your power may be gone, but its mark on you remains. From that, a skilled sorceress like myself can craft an enchantment similar to it into any uru-weapon."

"Such as this sword," Thor interrupted, realizing what Loki and Amora had in mind. "Aye, this can work."

"Then let us begin," Amora requested. She walked over the black sword with Thor next to her.

"What do you need me to do?" Thor asked, eager to see his power restored.

"Be still and relax," Amora answered.

Amora placed her left hand on the hilt of the sword, and her right hand on Thor's chest. Closing her eyes and muttering a silent chant, Amora focused on her spell. Mystical energy coalesced around her arms and chest, forming a conduit between Thor and the black sword. Thor winced in pain as the spell reached into his body, extracting traces of mystical energy left behind after Odin took away his power. Blue light flowed out of Thor and along Amora's right arm, turning green as it reached Amora's shoulders. The green light continued along Amora's left arm, turning violet as it reached the sword.

The spell took several minutes to complete, and when it was finished Amora nearly collapsed in exhaustion. Thor caught Amora in his arms, though he felt drained as well. Both knew they would recover quickly, and each got back on their own feet. For a moment they gazed into each other's eyes, and Amora hoped that Thor would finally realize she was better for him than Sif.

Instead Thor turned his gaze to the black sword, which appeared to be unchanged. He reached for the sword and gripped its handle with his right hand, sensing the power that was infused into the weapon. "Promising," Thor muttered.

"Do it brother," Loki encouraged, both fists raised in anticipation. "Free the sword from the stone."

With all the strength in one arm Thor pulled on the sword, yet it wasn't enough to free the weapon. He grabbed the sword with both hands and pulled with all his might, but the sword still didn't budge. Thor planted one foot against the stone that the sword was embedded into, pushing against the stone with his leg while pulling with his arms. Even then the sword resisted, refusing to let just anyone take it.

"Give me it," Thor muttered, demanding it from the stone while using all of the force at his disposal.

Suddenly the black blade started to glow with violet light, radiating mystical power that crept up Thor's arms. Dark storm clouds grew overhead as the new power flowed through Thor, blocking out the sun and leaving Thor bathed in dark violet. Power spread from the blade's edge through the stone in a narrow line, and in an instant the entire stone hill split in two. With the freed sword in hand Thor raised it above his head, feeling new power filling the void left when Mjolnir had been taken from him.

And ominous thunder boomed across all of Midgard.


When early morning reached Asgard the Ice Giant invasion began anew, on the last day of the Odinsleep. Once again the defenders of the realm fought against the horde, their goal to hold back the enemy long enough for Odin to awaken. The enemy gradually pushed towards the walls of Asgard, invigorated by the discovery of the Thunderer's power passing to a new wielder.

Charging into battle Korra rode on Naga, firing lightning wherever the enemy was grouped together. An Ice Giant was in her way, swinging at massive club that struck down several Asgardian soldiers at a time. Korra leapt off Naga and swung her hammer at the giant, while it swung its club at her. Mjolnir shattered the club and Korra swung again in mid-leap, hitting the giant's head and knocking it over. As the giant fell onto its back Naga ran on top of it, sinking her canine jaws into the giant's neck and tearing out its throat.

After using some lightning to clear out enemy soldiers around her, Korra looked around the battlefield. She saw Sif in the distance riding one of the winged horses, assaulting an enemy siege tower with the Valkyries. On the other side of Korra the Warriors Three were busy clearing out a legion of trolls, pinned in one place while they fought. Asgardian soldiers nearby were regrouping behind Korra, leaving her to deal with dozens of goblins charging over a wide hill in front of her.

Thrusting the hammer towards the enemy Korra fired lightning at the goblins, frying the ones in the center and scattering the rest. She whistled and Naga ran to her call, allowing Korra to get back on the polar bear-dog. Korra rode past the remaining goblins towards the enemy horde just past the hill between the armies, wanting to ambush the next advance and break enemy lines.

Once she cleared the hill Korra saw a force of trolls and giants already in disarray, responding to a threat that had appeared behind them. In the distance Korra saw a swirling green vortex, from which Loki emerged. Loki wore green armor with a long yellow cape, along with a helmet that had long curved horns.

With the portal still open behind him, Loki observed the trolls and giants closing in. He conjured a staff and focused his magic through it, firing bolts of green energy from the end of the weapon. Each bolt vaporized its target, and Loki obliterated the enemy forces around him. When the nearby area was cleared out Loki spotted Korra, and he stepped aside from the portal.

From the other side Thor stepped through the portal, while Amora remained behind in Midgard. Thor wore new plate mail armor with an orange cape, while his new weapon was sheathed and hung at his hip. His blond hair was trimmed short and covered by a winged helmet, which left all of his face exposed. One glance around the battlefield revealed Korra's presence, along with Mjolnir in her hand.

Loki grinned as he saw Korra without any of Thor's former comrades nearby, making it all too easy to manipulate his brother. "There she is," Loki said. "Take back what belongs to you." With his work finished for now Loki walked back through the portal and it closed behind him, returning to Amora waiting with an enchanted viewing orb to watch from afar.

Having a bad feeling in her gut, Korra climbed off Naga walked down the hill towards Thor. "Go get Sif," Korra ordered, and Naga ran off to obey the command.

"Have at thee, Usurper!" Thor declared. He drew his sword with his right hand, and the black blade started to glow violet.

At the same time the hammer head of Mjolnir started to glow blue. "Okay that's new," Korra muttered.

Thor raised his sword upward, summoning violet lightning from the sky into the weapon. A swift swing of the sword created an arc of violet electricity, cutting through the air towards Korra. She leaped over the attack and let it hit the hill behind her, obliterating it entirely. Korra summoned lightning into her hammer and thrust the weapon towards Thor, firing a bolt of electricity at him. Thor swung his blade down into the attack, splitting the lightning in two with both halves arcing around him to hit a pack of goblins behind. He attacked with another arc of violet lightning, and Korra swung her hammer down on it and dissipated the portion of lightning in her path.

Charging at each other Korra and Thor fired more lightning attacks, normal blue and darker violet hurling across the battlefield. Deflected electricity fried nearby onlookers, unnoticed by either combatant. Korra dodged one arc of lightning by jumping onto a large boulder and then leaping off it, getting above Thor and swinging her hammer down as he swung his sword.

When the hammer met the sword their energies clashed, spewing mystical power into a blue and violet haze that enveloped Korra and Thor. The haze dissipated when the weapons pulled apart, only to reform when they struck again. Thor swung the sword again and was blocked by the top of Korra's hammer, holding him at bay while the energies swirled around them. Korra pulled her weapon away and swung it down, blocked by the side of Thor's sword and holding the hammer back.

"This is not your place!" Thor yelled, letting the mystical haze from the weapons swirl around them. The sky darkened in storm clouds, leaving Thor's face illuminated by his sword's violet light. "You're no god! You don't deserve to wield the power of Mjolnir!"

"Here I'm just a soldier," Korra corrected, her face blue in the light from Mjolnir. "Anything else is just a part of your own delusion."

With a hard push on her hammer Korra shoved Thor back, forcing him to take a few steps away. Thor swung his sword upward and unleashed a thicker arc of violet lightning, slicing vertically through the air. Korra rolled out of the way and the arc moved past, gouging the ground as it continued on. Behind Korra the lightning arc hit the walls of Asgard, demolishing a narrow section of wall.

Seeing the destruction, Korra realized that she must keep the battle at close range to avoid collateral damage. She charged in and swung the hammer again and again, hitting the side of Thor's sword each time. Then Thor twisted around a hammer strike and swung his sword at Korra's chest, and she pulled away to avoid the hit. But the tip of Thor's sword grazed Korra's right shoulder, cutting through her armor and tasting her blood.

Despite the pain in her bleeding shoulder Korra kept fighting, swinging the hammer harder trying to shatter the sword. Thor blocked and twisted both weapons down, then swung his fist up into Korra's head. The blow tossed Korra back and knocked off her helmet, which tumbled away out of her reach. The force also spun her around in midair, making Korra hit the ground on her chest. She got back up and readied herself to strike back, just as Thor raised his sword for a killing blow.

As Korra readied the hammer blue lightning rained down onto it, charging the weapon. At the same time violet lighting rained down onto Thor's sword, charging it as well. Korra swung her hammer with all the strength she possessed, while Thor swung his sword with all of his might. In that moment time seemed to slow down, as the weapons clashed for the final time.

Mjonlir shattered.

Thor's sword cleaved through the hammer head of Mjolnir, splitting it in two with shards breaking off the halves. Lightning arced between the broken halves as they came apart, building up into blinding blue light. In an instant the energy was released in an electrical explosion, blasting Thor and Korra apart. A large crater formed in the blast, with Thor and Korra on opposite sides.

On her back on her side of the crater Korra stared at the broken hammer still in her hand, which felt much heavier now than when it was whole. The blue glow it had was gone, Mjolnir's enchantments dispelled. And without its mystical power Korra's armor faded away, leaving her in her normal Water Tribe clothes. "No…" Korra muttered, for the first time completely powerless.

The other half of Mjolnir was on Thor's side of the crater, and he stared at it in shock. His sword lost its violet glow, no longer reacting to the presence of Mjolnir's power. Thor reached down and grabbed the piece of Mjolnir, able to lift it now that Odin's enchantment was dispelled. "What have I…" he muttered, before turning his gaze back on Korra. "What have you done?!"

With a long leap Thor jumped over the crater, closing the distance to reach Korra. Before landing Thor swung his black sword down, unleashing another arc of violet lightning. Korra rolled out of the way and let the lightning strike the ground, and Thor landed in the gouged earth his attack created. Reacting on instinct alone Korra threw a punch towards Thor, even though she could no longer firebend. Instead the air compressed around her arm and pushed away from her fist, hitting Thor and blowing him away.

Staring at her fist, Korra didn't believe her eyes. "I can airbend…" she muttered. It didn't make sense, as she had never been able to airbend before. But then the answer just clicked, that when Amon took away the other elements he unlocked the one Korra never had. Korra stood tall and faced Thor. "I can airbend!"

Dropping the broken hammer, Korra punched with both fists to airbend rapid gusts of wind. Unimpressed with the power over air, Thor swung his sword to make another lightning arc that overwhelmed the wind. Korra leaped over the attack and airbended win into the ground in front of Thor, blowing into loose dirt to make a cloud of dust billow upward and obscure Thor's sight.

When Korra landed she only had a moment to use the distraction, and she whistled. Immediately hearing Naga's howls, Korra saw the polar bear-dog come to her call. Riding on Naga was Lady Sif, and behind them were the Valkyries. Coming from the other direction were the Warriors Three, having finished their battles and coming to Korra's aid. Korra grabbed the broken hammer and ran towards Naga, needing allies to hold off Thor.

As the dust cloud settled Thor saw Korra retreating, and found his old comrades rushing to her aid. At first Thor hesitated, unwilling to fight his friends. Thor's anger against Korra conflicted with his kinship towards Sif and the Warriors Three, staying his hand for the moment. He held the severed half of Mjolnir in his hand and stared at it, feeling just as divided as the weapon.

Still watching through Amora's viewing orb, Loki knew he had to act now. He conjured another portal to Asgard and hurried through it, emerging from a green vortex opening behind Thor. "We must leave!" Loki insisted, placing one hand on Thor's shoulder.

Thor didn't move.

"Do you really think they'll take you back?" Loki asked, getting in front of Thor. "After everything that's happened?"

"I don't know," Thor answered.

"You will take back your rightful place, I promise you," Loki said. "But this is not the time, not when Odin is about to awaken."

Thor glanced towards the walls of Asgard and the golden citadel behind it, where his father still slept. Soon Odin would awaken and seal the breach between realms that the Ice Giants used to invade Asgard, and obliterate what remained of the invading forces. And if the Champion of Midgard were considered an ally of Asgard, Thor would be considered an enemy for fighting her.

"Very well," Thor muttered, sheathing his sword. He turned away from the Asgardians and ran through the portal, with Loki following and closing the portal behind him.


In just a few hours peace returned to Asgard, courtesy of a restored Odin. Invaders in the realm were expelled and the rift between worlds was sealed. But peace came at a cost, as many of Asgard's defenders had perished. The power of the Thunderer was no more, which would only embolden Asgard's enemies in the next Odinsleep.

Sitting on the bed in the quarters provided for her, Korra wondered what would happen to her now. The wound in her shoulder had been mended by Asgard's healers, and not even a scar remained. But Mjolnir remained broken, as not even the dwarven smiths of Nidavellir could repair it without the missing half. Korra suspected some dire punishment was in store for her, having been trusted with the weapon and failing to keep it intact. She could only stare at the broken hammer on the table, contemplating her fate.

A knock at the door interrupted Korra's thoughts. "Come in."

The door opened and Hogun entered, his stoic face hiding any emotional reaction to the sight of a broken Mjolnir. "It's time."

With a sigh Korra stood up and grabbed the broken hammer, then followed Hogun out of the room. Hogun lead Korra through the citadel's halls, towards the throne room belonging to Odin himself. Along the way everyone Korra passed silenced themselves, none daring to say a word until their king passed judgment. The silence was deafening until they reached the throne room and Hogun opened its grand doors.

Inside Korra saw Odin in the flesh, sitting on his golden throne. The King of Asgard wore golden armor over his muscular body, while holding a gold mace in his right hand. His white hair reached his shoulders, and he had a large white beard. Covering his right eye was a golden patch, and his left eye observed Korra walking towards him.

Slowly Korra waked until she was in front of Odin, seeing Lady Sif on Odin's right and Hogun joining Fandral and Volstagg on Odin's left. Korra bowed to Odin before gently placing Mjolnir on the floor. "I never meant for this to happen," Korra said.

"Nor did I," Odin said, staring at the broken hammer. He remembered when he took it away from Thor, banishing him to Midgard and throwing Mjolnir through the Bifrost to the human world. It was clear that the actions meant to teach Thor humility had the opposite effect, driving Thor into the manipulative hands of Loki.

"I'm sorry," Korra apologized. "I wasn't worthy after all."

"You wielded Mjolnir as your own, defended your realm with its power, aided Asgard in its time of need, and held at bay a force greater than your own," Odin listed. He stood up from his throne and looked down on Korra. "And you claim to be unworthy of Mjolnir?"

"It broke!" Korra yelled. "I had its power and I broke it! How could I possibly be worthy?!"

For a moment Odin didn't answer, surprised that anyone would yell to his face. But that moment quickly passed. "A lesser being would have fled rather than face reality. You remained and admitted your faults, a form of humility."

"I don't feel humble," Korra said.

"That is irrelevant," Odin claimed. "You have acted with honor, despite the circumstances. You've earned a place here, if you wish."

Though tempted, Korra looked away. "I just want to go home."

"So be it," Odin declared. "The Bifrost is open to you, and you may depart for Midgard at your leisure."

"Thank you," Korra said, giving another bow to Odin. She turned and started walking out of the throne room, leaving behind the broken hammer.

Once Korra had exited the throne room and the doors closed behind her, Odin walked to where Mjolnir laid broken. He picked up Mjolnir and examined it, then turned to Sif. "Contact Eitri in Nidavellir. Commission a new war hammer, one to match Mjolnir. We may need a Stormbreaker."

Outside the throne room Korra walked through the citadel's halls, heading in a straight line until she found the exit. Once she was outside the citadel and below Asgard's alien sky, Korra whistled to summon Naga to her. Korra only needed to wait half a minute for Naga to arrive, as the polar bear-dog no longer carried the war armor to slow her down. Korra leaped onto Naga's back and directed her towards the Asgardian sea, where the Bifrost was located.

As she rode through the city Korra saw the Asgardian people give their farewells, as word of her departure traveled faster than Naga. Some in the streets either looked away or ignored Korra entirely, upset over the breaking of Mjolnir. Others gave praise as she passed by, as Korra had helped defend their home. Children cheered for the Champion of Midgard, the only mortal known to wield a weapon of gods.

When Korra reached the Asgardian coastline she saw the Rainbow Bridge jutting into the sea, a wide road of light with every color imaginable. Naga carried Korra across the bridge towards the Bifrost at the opposite end, a massive spherical structure with a pyramidal tip currently pointing straight up towards the sky. It was Asgard's main connection to the nine realms, and the road home for Korra.

Standing in front of the Bifrost was Heimdall, the All-Seeing Sentry. Dark skinned with black hair and clad in golden armor, he held a golden sword and watched over the Bifrost. Able to see through the veil between realms, Heimdall could gaze upon the worlds the Bifrost could reach. And when Heimdall saw Korra approach he turned his gaze to Midgard.

"Hold," Heimdall ordered, holding up one hand.

Naga stopped in front of Heimdall and Korra climbed off. "What is it?" Korra asked, walking up to the sentry.

"Darkness brews in Midgard," Heimdall warned. "Your realm needs its Champion again."

"Then let me pass," Korra insisted.

Heimdall stepped aside, and Korra walked past with Naga. But the sentry wasn't finished. "The man out of time faces ones that envy your ally."

"Okay?" Korra muttered, wondering who he was referring to.