Brothers Of Thunder

By Michael Weyer

I know, so many other fics but this one hit me out of the blue and just seemed too perfect to pass up. It was going to be part of "Counterpart Conferences" but it grew much bigger and into its own separate tale. Hope you enjoy.

Earth-8096

New York City

The crackling of ozone and electricity echoed throughout the air. The sparks soon grew before forming into a portal opening up. In a New York that had seen a lot of wild events in the last few years, the civilians were thrown by this and swiftly backing away from it. After a pause, a figure popped outward and landed hard on an approaching taxi, crushing its hood. He grunted, his blond hair and beard framing his handsome face as he rose up. He brushed at his complex suit, the cape flowing behind him with a large ax attached to his back.

He heard yelling and looked up to see the attractive woman flying outward from the portal, her own suit of armor, cape and masked helmet sparking a bit under the energies. She managed to land on her feet, rising up with a hand to the hammer at her side. She winced as she rubbed at her back just as the portal closed around her. Jane Foster looked up at it, then looked over to where Thor Odinson stood. "Was that supposed to happen?"

He shook his head. "No. It appears the Bifrost was far more damaged than Reed Richards believed."

"I still think it was a risk," Jane said, adjusting her helmet. "After the damage Surter made, trying to access it for more than one jaunt was hard. Reed and Tony agreed, the teleportation works over Earth distances but a reason it's harder trying it for beyond the planet. Plus, from you said, there may be little to connect to..."

"I had to know," Thor stated in a soft voice. "I had to see it for myself, Jane. To know for sure."

She put a hand to his shoulder in comfort. "I know," she said in a quiet tone with a warm smile to put him at ease. He nodded in appreciation, once more glad of the bond with her. Jane looked around. "At least it dropped us back in New York."

"Indeed," Thor mused as he looked at the skyline. "Huh. Strange. You can usually see Avengers Towers from this spot."

Jane frowned. "Yeah, that is odd. But we'd better get back and…"

The familiar whine of boot jets echoed and the pair turned to see a figure in gold and red armor slowly float down toward them. Next to him was an attractive blonde woman in a red skin-tight costume showing a bright yellow star on the front. A black mask covered her eyes with a short red cape, blue gloves and knee-high blue boots with a flash of skin between that and the rest of her suit.

"Hey, Tony," Jane called out. "Sorry to cause a fuss, it didn't seem to work out and…" She stopped and peered at the floating woman. "Carol? What the hell are you wearing?"

Iron Man lowered himself to the ground, appearing calm but something about him made Thor and Jane uneasy. "Ya know," he began in his electronically-echoed voice. "Given how great you were the last time around, I'm a bit let down you Skrulls really didn't do your homework."

Thor blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

Iron Man waved a hand at him. "The costume is wrong, there's no helmet, he has a hammer, not some axe and if he were to grow a beard, it would at least look as good as mine."

"Mine is better!" Thor snapped.

"Plus he doesn't have a female partner," Iron Man went on. "Points is, you really messed up the look."

Carol's hands were glowing with energy. "And you didn't get the message Earth is off-limits to you."

"Seriously, what is with that outfit?" Jane pressed. "You look like a Kardashian! I mean…doesn't that ride up a bit?

There was a rumble of thunder in the clear sky as another figure landed before the duo. His suit was dark except for a golden belt over his muscular body with a red cape billowing behind him with golden boots and covered arms. Under the winged silver helmet atop his long blonde hair, the handsome face was marked in an angry scowl. "Really, brother?" he called out in a deep voice, his hands clutching tight on the hammer in his hands. "This isn't even one of your better attempts at chicanery."

Jane stared at the man, then at Thor, who was even more perplexed than she was. The other figure was still glaring at Thor with growing anger. "At the very least, having this strumpet," he nodded at Jane. "Being the one to wield Mjolnir?"

"I'm sorry, did he just say 'strumpet'?" Jane asked, more out of honest curiosity than anger. "In a serious conversation?"

"Now, we can handle this easy or we can get tough about it," Iron Man stated. He raised up his hand, the gauntlet crackling with energy. "I don't mind it being the hard way, trust me."

Thor looked at his counterpart and sighed. "I believe I know what is going on here and I don't want this to turn into a fight."

"One you would lose," the other Thor stated as he held up his hammer, the weapon crackling with energy.

Thor held up his hands. "Let's just discuss this, perhaps over some beer and I'm sure we can …"

A loud roar echoed and Thor looked up in time to see a very familiar large green form leaping down toward him. Just as it hit, he reflected on the fact that, in any reality, the Hulk somehow found a way to make any situation even worse.

Jane winced as she saw the Hulk's feet smash down onto Thor, crushing him into the ground. She had her hammer out and hurling at the large green figure, smacking into his jaw. The bare-shirted Hulk grunted at her. "Huh. So, Girl Thor wanna fight Hulk? Fine."

"Great, he talks better here," Jane muttered, leaping back to avoid his first super-strong punches. She flexed her fingers to return the hammer to her hand. She turned in time to hold it up and deflect the blast of energy from Iron Man. That just left her open for Carol to attack her, smashing her against a nearby wall. Jane grunted as Carol punched her in the face and pushed back. "The mask is really not working."

"Look who's talking," Carol snarled as she pushed back again. Jane threw out her hammer to smash her away. She was moving forward when he felt blasts of sharp energy strike her. She winced as her eyes fell on a small figure in a golden and black uniform flying back on small wings. "Hope?"

The Wasp snorted. "Wow, they couldn't even teach you the right name?" She fired another blast right between Jane's eyes, which caused her to yell in pain.

Thor had pulled out Stormbreaker to block the blow of the other Thor's Mjolnir. Lightning crackled from the two weapons as Thor was pressed back hard against a fallen car. The other Thor glared at him. "A beard, Loki? Really?"

"First, not Loki," Thor growled. "Second, what is wrong with the beard? It gives me character!"

"I like it!" Jane called out as she smashed her hammer against the Hulk's head, knocking him back. She winced against more shots from the Wasp as she leaped to avoid a charge from Carol.

Thor dodged an attack by his counterpart. The man spun his Mjolnir in his hand then threw it out, holding onto it to let him fly forward with fists raised. Bracing himself, Thor waited, then spun at the last moment, gripping the handle as he used his opponent's momentum to send him flying out and crashing into an empty bus. The hammer fell to the ground, creating a small hole under its weight.

Thor shook his head. "Sif was right, I really did fall for that too many times."

The other Thor was shaking his head to clear it as he rose up. "Drop the pretense, Loki and tell me what your game is!"

"I'm not Loki!"

"Then whom? Skrull? Another of Ultron's robotic abominations?" The blonde man got to his feet, glaring. "Who dares imitate the Son of Odin?"

"Clearly, I'm far more melodramatic in this world," Thor mused. "Fine. Let's just settle this now." He reached down to grip the handle on Mjolnir.

The other Thor snorted. "Please, pretender, we both…." His voice caught in his throat as, with ease, Thor lifted the hammer and held it upward.

The Wasp, Carol and Iron Man all stood, as stunned at this as Thor. "He…can hold it?" the Wasp blurted. "But…even Hulk can't pick it up!"

The other Thor stared in wonder at the hammer, then at his counterpart. "How?"

Thor actually gave Mjolnir a flip in his hands before catching it by the handle. It felt different than the one he knew yet so much the same. "Because…" He lowered to offer it to his counterpart. "I am Thor, son of Odin, King of…what is left of Asgard." He nodded to Jane, who was rising back to her feet. "Jane Foster, Thunderstrike. We are not of your reality."

The other Thor (who Jane was starting to call Thor-A in her mind) stared at him as he took Mjolnir back and rose to his feet. "Now then," Thor continued. "Can we discuss this at a calmer place?"

"I don't believe it," Jane muttered as the group filed into Avengers Mansion. "In this world, they work out of a place like the Justice League." The manor was a large estate not too far from Central Park and looked even more lavish than Wayne Manor was.

Iron Man had opened up his mask to show a face a bit younger than the Tony they knew but still that ever-present smirk. "So….alternate reality. I've heard the theories but still something…"

"It's true," Jane stated. "We've traveled to one ourselves but the first time we've met one so close to ours, albeit some differences." She looked to the Wasp. "Janet Van Dyne? I'm going to guess Ant-Man isn't Scott Lang?"

"No, he is," Janet said. "But Hank let him have the costume so he could become Yellowjacket." On cue, a set of costumed figures strode up to meet them. This Captain America's costume was a bit brighter but mostly the same. The man Thor and Jane guessed was Yellowjacket was in a mostly yellow costume with black shoulder coverings and belt, a large cowl over his head with yellow wings on the side. Beside them was a man in a purple costume with a huge face mask, a bow, and a quiver of arrows attached to his back.

Thor blinked. "Barton? Is that you under there?"

"Yeah," he said in a younger and more sardonic voice. "Something wrong?"

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Your wife lets you actually go out in public like that?"

Hawkeye laughed. "Me? Married? Are you crazy?"

Jane raised her eyebrows. "Yep, clear differences in this world..." She looked at Yellowjacket. "Hank Pym? On our Earth, you and Janet are a lot older."

"How old?" Wasp asked. "I mean...35? Or are we talking ancient like...50?" She shivered at the thought.

"Another Earth?" Baton asked. "That's pretty crazy even for us."

"Yet it's true," Jane insisted. "On ours, you have a wife and kids..."

"Oh, damn, I suddenly feel so sorry for me," Clint groaned.

Jane waved to Janet. "Our Wasp is Hank and Janet's daughter, Hope."

"We're not even engaged!" Janet protested with Hank equally thrown.

"Cap..." Jane cocked her head. "Hmmm, assuming you were still frozen in ice, you're much the same."

"Sadly, that is true here," Cap noted.

"We should go over differences," Thor mused. "Wakanda, Latveria, the Savage Land…"

"We have all those," Thor-A stated.

Iron Man frowned at him. "Wait…the Savage Land?"

Thor-A nodded. "Aye. A hidden world under Antarctica, home to various creatures such as dinosaurs."

Thor nodded as well. "It is on the other side on our Earth." He became aware of Jane staring at him just as the Avengers were staring at their Thor. "What?"

"Dinosaurs?" Jane blurted. "You're telling me…dinosaurs…still exist…on our Earth?"

Thor frowned. "You didn't know of this?"

"No, we did not know of this!"

"Are you sure? I mean, isn't that where they filmed that Jurassic Park movie?"

Thor-A nodded with him. "I assumed the same. Also, I was curious about why some museums did not compare skeletons to living examples."

"Well, they do seem to ignore Kung-Lun."

"Aye, as if somehow forgetting dragons once walked the Earth."

"Dragons?" Wasp blurted in disbelief.

Iron Man stared. "First you don't tell us Atlantis exists until Namor shows up at the U.N., now this?"

Jane glanced between them and leaned to Iron Man. "So, yours does it too…"

Hawkeye held up a hand. "I am stating now that I am taking a sick day whenever Tony wants to check out the dinosaurs. No matter when that is."

Captain America looked them both over. "So how did you get here?"

Thor sighed. "We were attempting to access the Bifrost. I had found it more difficult to use and...I had wanted...to see if I could return to Asgard."

"Return?" Thor-A frowned. "Why would that be difficult?"

"Well, since I...sort of...destroyed it..."

Thor-A's eyes widened. "You...you what?!" He stormed forward. "What do you mean, you destroyed our home?"

"Technically, it was Surtur," Thor clarified. "But I was the one who unleashed him."

"What madness overtook you?"

"Would you prefer Hela to take it over?" Thor snapped. "Because that was the only option." He saw his counterpart's confusion and sighed. "There's no easy way to say it but...in my reality, Father, Mother, Heimdall, the Warriors Three...they're all gone."

Thor-A's shock was evident. "Gone?" he whispered.

"Mother by dark elves," Thor went on in a softer tone. "Father's...time was done. The rest by Hela. Heimdall by the forces of Thanos."

"Thanos?" Iron Man frowned.

Jane saw their confusion and was thrown. "Wait...you guys don't know him?" She looked to Thor. "Too much to hope he doesn't exist in this reality?"

"More likely, he just hasn't made his way to Earth yet," Thor mused. He faced the others. "In short, a mad Titan convinced the only way to 'save' the universe was to wipe out half the population." He glanced at his doppelganger. "You know of the Infinity Stones?"

Thor-A was still thrown by the news of Asgard but did his best to nod. "Aye. Each with incredible power over space, time and more."

"In our reality, Thanos got them all together," Jane stated. "He wiped out half the universe with a snap of his fingers."

The Avengers all looked at each other in concern. "This...was about seven or eight months ago, wasn't it?" Iron Man asked in the tone of someone who already knew the answer to the question.

Thor nodded. "Who was lost?"

Hawkeye, Carol, Yellowjacket, and Wasp all raised their hands. "It...wasn't fun," Iron Man allowed in the tone of something forced to remember something they never wanted to recall as long as they lived. "In some ways, the world is still recovering."

"We managed to fix it," Jane stated. "But we're dealing with the after-effects ourselves. That's why Thor was trying to get back to Asgard, see if anything was left and perhaps clues to other threats out there."

Thor-A was still staring at her. "Forgive me," he stated. "The Jane Foster I know is a paramedic, not...you."

It was Jane's turn to be surprised. "Really? Huh, had thought about it but then got into astrophysics instead."

Thor-A looked to the hammer attached to her hip. "And...you can wield Mjolnir?"

"It's...complicated."

Thor sighed. "I lost my own copy to Hela. I did get Stormbreaker," he hefted the ax. "It was reformed and Jane was able to hold it."

Thor-A nodded. "Then she must be a worthy lady indeed."

Thor grinned. "You have no idea." He paused. "I'm sorry, I can't keep calling you by my own name."

"Odinson then."

"That will work.

Jane looked about. "So…is this the only team here? No Black Widow? She-Hulk? Spider-Man? Panther?'

"T'Challa is in Wakanda," Captain America explained. "Widow isn't here and….a She-Hulk?"

Hulk snorted. "Hulk is only Hulk. Except for nasty Ross Red Hulk."

It was Jane's turn to blink. "Ross? As in Thaddeus Ross? A Red Hulk?" She shook her head. "Now that is a truly terrifying thought…"

"As for Spider-Man, we're not letting some kid in the team just yet," Yellowjacket noted. "At least until he graduates high school..."

"Are there X-Men?" Thor asked. "Fantastic Four?"

"Yes to both," Janet said. "How about you guys? Winter Soldier? Red Skull? Skrulls?" she said the last word with disdain.

"Yes to the first two," Jane answered. "Skrulls are a bit tricky. From what our Carol said, their empire was broken by the Kree so half of them are refugees trying to find a new place to live but others a bit more extremist."

Carol raised an eyebrow. "Huh, that is different. I'm gonna guess the Kree still a pack of racist military assholes?"

"Mostly," Jane agreed. "But our Carol not a bad sort."

Iron Man coughed. "To get back to brass tacks, it looks like you two need to get back to your own universe."

"Which can be difficult," Thor stated. "Interdimensional travels were hard enough but a world as similar as this..."

"Mayhap some special aid is needed," Odinson stated. "Doctor Strange perhaps."

Iron Man rolled his eyes. "Oh, great, just what we need, Mr. "no, really, magic is a totally real thing" showing up. I still can't believe he won't accept it's just an advanced science."

Yellowjacket smirked. "Uh-huh, that's the 'science' that had you briefly turned into a frog once?"

"That was just a brief mutation! And by the way, I was still a very, very handsome and brilliant frog!"

Yellowjacket rubbed his temples. "God, Tony, even I acknowledge it's something beyond normal science!"

Jane chuckled. "I think our Tony may actually be worse in the ego."

"That's…not possible," Hawkeye said in a flat voice.

"I was turned into a frog once," Thor noted.

"Loki?" Odinson asked and nodded with his counterpart. "He always had an affinity for that prank."

"Still better than when he turned our hair red..."

"Oh, he did that too?" Odinson scoffed. "I can't imagine your difficulties with him."

Thor's face sobered. "Loki...is dead in my reality. He...actually sacrificed himself to try and stop Thanos." Thor-A was thrown at that, clearly not knowing how to react.

Captain America looked to Thor and Jane. "Do we have any ideas on how to get you two back?"

Thor looked to his counterpart. "I do believe there is one quite obvious option..."

Asgard

The blast of energy erupted before Jane, Thor, Odinson, Captain America, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel (as Carol called herself here), Yellowjacket, Wasp, and Odinson strode out of the portal to the entrance to the city. Thor was struck by the appearance of Heimdall, his armor much like the one he knew but his skin fairer and his eyes darkened. "Thor," the guardian intoned. "Your father is already prepared for you and your...guests..."

Odinson nodded as he marched past the man. Thor paused to look him over. Heimdall cocked his head to answer his gaze. "I am aware of other realities. Others like me. I am...Sorry for your loss."

"He was a good man," Thor intoned. "As I sense you are." They nodded to each other before Thor followed his counterpart. They made their way across the huge Rainbow Bridge leading to the city as Jane looked at Carol. "I'm not trying to sound judgmental but…Ms. Marvel? Trust me, in our world, you'd get enough flack without throwing that title on."

Carol snorted. "Like I care what some obnoxious jerks and internet trolls think…"

"Now you remind me of our Carol."

"Captain Marvel doesn't sound right. I'm a Lieutenant."

"So is she."

"Technically, I'm not a Captain either," Steve Rogers pointed out. "Plus, I'm not sure I'm the person to talk on such things given I was frozen for the entire women's lib movement."

"Ah, come on, Cap, don't sell yourself short," Wasp noted. "For a guy from the 1940s, you're better treating ladies than most men today."

"Did you have to be looking at me when you said that?" Hawkeye complained.

"All right," Thor was musing. "I can accept many things are different in this reality. But…you are saying that…the Guardians of the Galaxy are a top-notch, effective team of heroes who are widely respected across the universe?"

Odinson frowned. "They are not in your world?'

Jane scoffed. "I wouldn't trust those morons with a lunch order!"

"The tree's okay," Hulk remarked in that odd voice that still threw Jane a bit.

Carol leaned in toward her. "Is he the same on your Earth?"

"On ours, he's Bruce Banner a lot more. Plus, he's taken to wearing shirts a bit more often."

"Wish he'd do the latter," Clint remarked. "Oh and…don't bring up Banner. Just…don't." His being totally serious affected Jane.

Thor was going to add something but stopped as he took in the sight before him. It was different than his Asgard, less the classic city and something more fantastic. Yet in so many ways, it felt the same. The power, the strength, the history going back eons. The people who mingled about, several staring in wonder as the group passing through. There was no denying, this was Asgard, if not the one he had lost.

Odinson saw his expression and smiled softly. "Was it like this?'

"Most of it…aye," Thor confirmed. As they came to the gleaming palace, his eyes widened as he saw the figures standing before the steps. "And in others…it was different."

The most recognizable of the group was Fandral, who greatly resembled the one Thor had known with his blonde hair and goatee. Next to him was a figure in darker clothing with a fur cap, his thick mustache and glowering expression making Thor realize it was Hogun. Behind them was a massive figure that dwarfed at least four hundred pounds on a seven-foot frame, his orange mustache and beard falling A helmet rested on his head with huge shoulder braces. "Volstagg?" Thor muttered.

Jane's own eyes widened. "Holy shit. He makes our Volstagg look like…well, you."

The woman they guessed was Sif had the same raven black hair and athletic build but clad in a mostly red and silver armor with a large headpiece framing her head. Next to her was a figure resembling Balder in a purple and black suit with armored gauntlets and boots, white cape and helmet. All nodded in respect as Odinson came up to them. "Ho, Thor!" Balder called out. "I see your message was correct in bringing…unique companions."

Odinson motioned to them. "Jane Foster and…Thor…These are the Warriors Three, the Lady Sif and my best friend, Balder."

"Well met," Sif said. She looked at Jane. "Hmmm….so you are worthy of wielding Mjolnir?" She smirked at Odinson. "I recall you once stated none could match you or thy father for that feat."

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Maybe on my Earth, it's more open to a different hand."

Sif smiled. "Oh, I like her."

Thor motioned to the steps. "Come. He awaits." He led the way up the stairs and through the palace. Thor noted how it was much like the one he had grown up in although a few differences in the architecture. As they entered the throne room, he sucked in his breath as he took in the powerful figure sitting on a throne.

The first difference was that he had both eyes. The second was that he was far more powerfully built with a broad chest clad in lush golden armor with a long red cape. His white hair and beard were much longer and he seemed to bristle with power. His gaze was hard as he took in Thor-A, who bowed before him. "My son," he said in a deep voice. "These are the….others you spoke of in your message?"

"Aye, Father," Odinson waved to them. Thor and Jane both bowed with respect. Odin narrowed his eyes as he focused on the two arrivals. "This…is your counterpart from another Earth? One not worthy of wielding Mjolnir so some…mortal….female…does so?"'

"Oh, boy, here we go…" Hawkeye muttered.

"He is worthy, Father," Odinson pressed. "He held mine hammer."

"Yet he chooses to let…her…hold our most sacred weapon?" Odin wasn't bothering to hide his disdain.

Jane glared at him. "Don't talk about me as if I'm not here. Or I'll give you this hammer in a very uncomfortable place."

Several in the room sucked in breaths at that but Thor could only smirk. Odin glared at him. "Does my counterpart put up such disrespect?"

"My Odin is dead," Thor intoned. "Asgard fell." He couldn't help but feel a bit of satisfaction seeing how that shut this Odin up. "Much of its fall was due to my father's arrogance and keeping secrets from others. A lesson that perhaps you should pay heed to." He moved forward. "As fun as it might be to spend time comparing notes, right now, we need to get back to our own reality. We believe your Bifrost may be the way."

Odin was glowering but slowly nodded. "Very well. I have had our researchers looking into it now." He looked Thor over. "Hmmm…I can already tell you have spent too long among Midgard." He glanced to Odinson. "A fate I worry over with my own son."

Odinson bristled. "Father…we have had this discussion…."

"And you ignored my words." Odin's voice was hard.

"The Avengers are heroes, Father," Odinson stated. "You yourself credited them with saving Asgard from Loki."

"I did," Odin allowed. "Yet their lives, in the end, are meaningless to us."

"Boy, really know how to hurt a guy," Hawkeye muttered under his breath.

Odinson shook his head. "I will not have this argument yet again, Father."

"The day will come, my son, when you understand the weight of the crown is greater than any friendships."

"Which explains why you are so absent of friends."

"I feel so much better now about my relationship with my own father," Ms. Marvel remarked.

Odin growled as Odinson scoffed. "Yes, Father, continue thy rumbling and anger. Tis what you seem to do best now." He turned to march out of the room, striding out toward a nearby balcony. He sighed as he looked out at the skies of Asgard, some clouds reflecting his mood.

"You shouldn't be so upset." Odinson turned to see Thor leaning on the doorway. "Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. My father was a tough sort as well." He began walking forward. "But I now know what he was dealing with. Asgard may be gone but not all our people are. I may not wear a crown but I feel the weight of its responsibilities."

"He can be just so…damned aggravating!" Odinson snarled. "For centuries, his words are more like a proclamation, he refuses to let me be my own man, he still acts as if I am but a babe!"

"From what I gather, it's the same way Bor treated him," Thor said. "There's an old human saying that every man who says he'll never be like his father ends up emulating him in every way."

"Yet he acts more like I am merely another subject than his son!"

"He has to handle a lot," Thor noted. "And let's be honest…we're not the easiest people to deal with even if we weren't his sons." He saw Odinson looking off and sighed. "I thought my father was an old man, a fool, someone who should just step down and let me take over. When Frost Giants invaded, I went with my Loki, Sif and Warriors Three to attack them. In my arrogance, I thought I knew better than my father how to deal with this."

Odinson raised an eyebrow. "I assume it did not go well."

"It did not," Thor sighed. "It nearly started a war. Afterward, my father railed at my idiocy and how I was not prepared to be king. He stripped me of my hammer and my powers and cast me to Earth to learn humility."

Odinson's eyes widened. "He…did that?"

"And he was right to do so," Thor admitted. "Oh, I didn't think it at the time but I realize now he was correct. I had to learn more about humans and of myself to handle what was to come. It helped I met Jane who taught me much of humanity and saw their own bravery." He looked to Odinson. "I know that it can be hard. But take it from me, Thor….Odin will not live forever. And when he's gone…You're going to find yourself regretting so many chances you missed to talk to him."

Odinson took in his words. "Perhaps you are right…"

Thor waved a hand about. "I took this city for granted. The people as well, I thought they would remain around for centuries. You have no idea how lucky you truly are. Still be with the Avengers but do not turn your back on your home, either. Especially when you know you must rule one day."

Odinson nodded. "There is wisdom in your words…"

"That's something I don't hear that often," Thor dryly said. "Balder does say I'm becoming more like my father."

"Especially with the beard."

"Seriously, what is everyone's hang-up on the beard? I've had it for centuries!" He waved at Thor. "I don't insult your hair being so long!"

"What is wrong with its length!"

"Even I gave that up! All right, it was forced on me but it was much easier to handle!"

Odinson's reply was lost in a loud rumble that cut through the air. The two spun around to see a dark shadow seeming to grow in the distance. It resembled a black cloud of some sort, crackling with inhuman energy. There was already a cry from the populace as inhuman shrieks began to sound from that space.

The two Thors looked at each other before Odinson spun his hammer about and let it fly him off. Thor leapt off the balcony, landing easily on the ground below to charge in as well. Before them, the cloud was giving way to some sort of moving portal that was dislodging a squad of men in dark green armor. Several appeared to be in suits much like Iron Man, with a few standing nearly ten feet tall. Others appeared to be orcs and trolls, their dark skin and hideous faces proving their war-loving nature. Behind them were hulking figures Thor figured were this universe's version of Frost Giants. Odinson was already hurling his hammer to smash against one as Thor had Stormbreaker to smash against the armored troops.

Jane had been to the "observatory" of the old Asgard but this was even more amazing. It was dominated by a set of globes of the various worlds around the cosmos, many of them she didn't recognize, hanging about the ceiling and moving about in circular patterns. A wave of glowing strands was nearby, attracting her attention. They seemed to resemble old-styled weaved rugs with some shorter than others and glittering in various colors.

"According to Asgard's wisest minds, these show connections to alternate universes," Sif was saying as they walked about. "They used to be nearly impossible to separate but in the last few months, they have seemed to…flow together more."

"It happens," Jane mused. "It's as if Thanos' actions somehow affected the multiverse boundaries and brought down barriers."

Sif looked to her with interest. "Am…I…still in your reality?"

"You are," Jane assured her. "We're good friends, actually. She insists on calling us sisters in arms which I'm still not sure about." She sighed. "Just annoyed at Odin."

"He…can be difficult," Sif allowed. "He had a plan for Thor to remain on Asgard to be its ruler but his connections to Midgard block that."

"Not too much different from our Odin," Jane allowed. "But they had other issues to handle." She peered at the weaves of glowing lines. "And…Balder?"

Sif frowned. "What do you mean? He is a good friend, Thor's best in fact."

"Ah, ok." Jane wasn't sure if Balder secretly being Thor's brother was true in this reality and decided not bringing it up was the best move just in case. She was opening her mouth to speak again when a rumble shook the entire room. The two women were instantly alert as they raced back to the throne room.

A few minutes earlier, Carol found herself facing the fascinating sight of the Hulk and Volstagg seemingly in a race to see who could consume a cooked 75-pound boar faster. It was a contest of spit, drool and fallen food that made her consider going vegan. Thus, the sudden shaking of the palace was a welcome relief.

Captain America, of course, was instantly alert as Balder and the Warriors Three also go to their feet. Jane, Sif and the Thors were entering just as Odin strode out from his quarters. "To arms!" he barked. "Asgard is under attack!"

"By whom, Father?" Odinson asked.

"By those who shall deeply regret it!" Odin called out.

"My Lord, you should remain!" Balder said. "In safety for now!"

"Thor is already out there," Jane pointed out.

Odin scowled but nodded. "I shall don my war armor and gather faithful Gugnir. Then shall they know the anger of Odin!"

"And soon they shall know the cockiness of Hawkeye!" the archer intoned as the Avengers followed the Asgardians out of the throne room.

In moments, the group was outside the palace to see the army moving in. Jane took in the green armor with a frown. "That looks…oddly familiar…"

"Hydra," Captain America hissed.

"Oh, no, you have them here too?"

"We thought they were gone!" Cap was already hurling out his shield to smash into one of the armored figures. Behind him, Hawkeye was drawing his bow and firing off an arrow that erupted against an armored man, causing him to fall back. By this point, others were firing off what appeared to be lasers to drive off both soldiers and the civilian populace. Hawkeye dodged a blast to fire off another arrow, this one unleashing a blast of electricity to knock a soldier down.

Ms. Marvel's hands were glowing just as she heard a roar from overhead. She looked up to see some dragon-like creatures emerging from the black cloud. One charged downward, its claws reaching out and she barely dodged it before firing off a blast of energy. The Hulk was bounding forward, letting out a roar as he smashed through several of the creatures and moved onto the attacking Frost Giants.

Jane was already summoning lightning with Mjolnir and then letting it fly. It smashed down one of the dragons, cut through a pair of frost giants and then spun in a wide arc, the electricity shortening out the armor of several Hydra soldiers before landing in her hands.

Fandral's eyes widened. "And I thought Thor was good with that. Yet he never made it a thing of such beauty!"

Jane smiled. "Flattered but not my type." Volstagg was knocking back several troops as Hogun smashed another with his mace.

Hawkeye fired another arrow as he cursed. "Sure, the one time we can actually use Tony, he stays behind!"

"It was more that we were worried about him ticking off Odin by once more claiming they're nothing but a bunch of powerful aliens," Carol noted. Hawkeye conceded the point as he continued to fight, somersaulting over one soldier and in mid-air firing off two arrows that exploded against a Frost Giant.

Cap was knocking another trooper down when he heard an engine humming. He looked up to see a large hovercraft emerging from the crowd. Several regular soldiers in Hydra uniforms were already firing away with blasters. Cap leaped onto the body of a fallen Frost Giant, racing up its icy frame to reach a rooftop. He bounded across it then somersaulted to land on top of the carrier. Knocking back one guard, Cap threw himself downward, his feet smashing through the glass pane of the bridge of the carrier.

Somersaulting inside, Captain America was already in a fighting position with several Hydra troops aiming weapons at him. He heard a zipping sound to know the Wasp and Yellowjacket had followed him inside. However, Cap was struck by the trio of figures standing in the center of the room. One was in an ornate version of the Hydra uniform, more of a tunic with buttoned front. One hand was in a yellow glove while another was covered in a huge thick red gauntlet. His bald head shone along with the monocle in one eye.

Next to him was a man in a mostly purple suit with a golden belt, his shoulders with odd furred bracings. His entire head was covered in a thick purple mask with a golden crown settled into it. The final figure was in a pure black suit that mixed with the crimson nearly skinless head. "Captain," he hissed. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Oh, shit," Janet whispered as she took in Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker, Baron Heinrich Zemo and the Red Skull standing side by side.

Captain America's eyes narrowed at his three old foes. "So it finally happened. The three of you, together."

"Indeed, Captain," Von Strucker said with a smirk. "The founding fathers of Hydra, reunited at last."

"After our escape following the…incident," Zemo said in his dark accent. "We realized that fighting amongst ourselves was not in our best interests. Thus, we agreed to put our differences aside so that the ultimate power would finally be ours."

"I once told the Fuhrer that Asgard was a place of power begging for our use," the Skull added. "And now…we shall have it for ourselves."

Captain America glared as he hefted his shield. "Over my dead body, Skull."

The evil smile twisted. "Oh, Captain…You really have no idea what you're in for…"

Thor smashed a fist through an ogre's face as Stormbreaker lashed out to cut another down. Odinson was hurling out his hammer to knock a Frost Giant back, both thrown by the coming hordes mixed with some human soldiers.

"Hydra troops," Odinson noted. "Allied somehow with Frost Giants and orcs and ogres?"

"Reminds me of a messy incident in my reality," Thor mused. He frowned deeply. "The way they're spread out though….as if…"

They stared at each other as the thought struck them both. "It's a distraction," they said in unison. They were both turning just a blast of flame erupted to create a wall around them. They turned back to see a figure floating in the air. She was a beautiful woman clad in a loose red dress with a large headpiece and a red studded choker around her neck. Her blonde hair was now literally flame as her eyes glowed with a true inner fire.

"Amora," Odinson hissed.

Thor's own eyes widened. "The Enchantress? She…isn't that bad in my reality."

"It is not truly her," Odinson hissed. "It is Surtur possessing her."

"That…is not good."

The woman looked down with a smirk. "Two Thors? The Norns do smile upon me." Her hands glowed bright with flame. "One I can keep…and another to kill."

The pair of gods barely had time to avoid her blast of flame erupting at them.

Odin stepped out of his chambers in full golden armor, his spear in his hands. He stopped in place as he saw the fallen guards strewn about the room. His grip on his spear tightened as he sensed something was wrong. It took a moment before the feeling washed over him and he cursed under his breath. "Where are you?"

"Right here…All-Father."

Odin turned to see a figure materialize, lounging on the throne with his feet propped up against one of the armrests. He wore a green and golden suit with a helmet boasting a pair of massive horns. His dark hair was longer than before but that damnable evil smirk remained on his face.

"Loki," Odin growled. "You wish the throne once more?"

"Oh, I had my chance to rule," Loki stated in a dark tone. "It didn't work out. No…no, my goal is different." He was playing with a dagger in his hands. "No, I managed to strike a bargain with Surtur. To make him realize that we had one thing in common." He looked up, his smile vanishing. "And to reach out to some mortals for an alliance. They gain the power and I get to see what I dreamed of every instant I was trapped within the Serpent's grasp: Asgard burned to the ground."

He flung out the dagger, the blade spinning around and erupting into fire as it did. Odin hissed as it struck at his chest, feeling the agony of the poisoned fire tearing into him. Loki's smile returned as he rose on the throne. "Don't worry 'father'. You'll still be alive…just long enough to see the Golden City turned to ash."

And the laughter of the God of Evil echoed throughout the chamber.

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes remains one of the greatest comic book series ever created. Great as the MCU is, this captured the spirit of the comics much better and sad it ended for the Assemble cartoon. It just hit me how much fun mixing them up a bit would be.

Also, the "8096" designation is the official one from Marvel which also confirms it shares a universe with the Wolverine and the X-Men cartoon.

All comments welcomed as I hope to get more in soon.