The stories that follow from here on out presume that you have seen Thor: Ragnarok. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for? *grin*
You certainly may read on, even if you haven't seen it, but some things may make more sense if you have.
Going darker for this story...
Hubris~noun
Definition;
Exaggerated pride or self-confidence.
Ten
Hubris
Doctor Stephen Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts, stood on the cliff top, looking out over the restless, celadon-green Norwegian sea. The late afternoon sun was low in the sky, and the breeze swirling up from the breakers, far below, was frigid.
Stephen was glad to have Cloak between him, and the chilly Norse winds.
Cloak seemed to enjoy the silence, the crash of the waves.
It lay peacefully along his shoulders, allowing the wind to twirl it, like a gentle caress.
Despite the desolate beauty of this location, a frown knitted Stephen's brows as he looked back, over his shoulder, at the remains of Mjolnir.
Thors' Hammer.
The star forged metal lay in chunks, abandoned, and Stephen had a premonition of impending disaster when he looked at it.
What power could possibly have been great enough to destroy such an item?
What would it take, to wrest it from its owner?
He sensed, in flashes, what had happened, and none of it was good.
A shudder ran thru him, and he took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, attempting to get rid of an overwhelming sense of uncertainty.
Anxiety was crippling, and he couldn't afford it.
He had way too many responsibilities.
The glitter of a gateway opening refocused his attention, and he turned toward it.
Jade, Master of London, in her astral form, stepped thru, holding her Staff.
He noticed she'd updated her wardrobe, shedding the archaic green and black in favor of a palette of blues, accented with silver.
Which suited her.
He certainly couldn't blame her.
After a century stuck in virtually the same clothes, anyone would be ready for a new look.
She offered a fond smile, a nod, a sparkle in her pale blue eyes,
'Doctor.'
He twitched a brief smile, in return, but immediately his expression became serious again,
'Master Jade, thank you so much for coming.'
'Absolutely,' Jade responded, brow lowered as she knelt to examine the shattered Relic.
'There's no sign of Thor, or Odin?' she queried, as she stood, surveying the surrounding terrain.
Stephen shook his head as he came to walk beside her, surveying the trampled field.
Cloak lifted its' hem, gave her arm a gentle brush of welcome, and she favored it with a soft pat.
'I believe Odin is dead,' Stephen replied, drawing a sharp look, but she nodded, agreement,
'I think so, too.'
A pause, then, she asked,
'What about Loki?'
Stephen gave a perturbed scowl,
'He seems to be gone, as well. I can't detect any traces of his magic trail, beyond this cliff top.'
'There's abundant evidence of an otherworldly battle,' Jade observed, pointing to the scarred ground, and the ring of burned grass where a bridge to Asgard had been opened.
Stephen nodded,
'Yup,' his tone clipped, annoyance.
Jade gave him a puzzled look, wondered,
'What's bothering you? I mean, besides the obvious implications of all this?'
Stephen chewed his lip, briefly, then admitted, angrily,
'I'm irritated with their incursion on earth. Thor, and Loki, I mean. They caused more than enough trouble the first time they were here.
'Plus, I'm confused as to how Loki managed to hide Odin, right under our noses, without me noticing it.'
'No one noticed, until Odin broke free from Loki's enchantment,' Jade corrected, 'and then, you were the only one Odin trusted enough to work with.'
Stephen didn't seem appeased, continued,
'I'm also not a fan of Thor's demeaning attitude. He seems to think he can just come here and meddle in our affairs whenever it suits him.'
Jade chuckled, reminded, with a shrug,
'God of Thunder, and all that.'
Stephen snorted, clearly unimpressed,
'He's also disrespectful,' remembering how Thor had so casually played with objects at the Sanctum, as if they belonged to him.
Knocking the Daggers Of Daveroth all over the tabletop, as if they were mere dominos.
Among other things.
Like calling said Hammer, knowing full well that doing so would destroy walls and artifacts, in its' journey thru the Sanctum. Then, offering a smug, counterfeit apology about the whole mess.
Disrespectful, and irritating.
He wouldn't even start on his grievances with Loki.
'After Thor's little visit, I had to call Master Harris in to deal with repairs to the Sanctum walls, and you know how touchy he can be.'
Jade raised an amused eyebrow, but didn't add anything further.
'I can see why Stark gets along with him, so well. They're the same kind of arrogant,' Stephen grouched, folding his arms as he looked across the field.
'I've yet to meet Stark, or any of the other Avengers,' Jade said, tone troubled, 'But, I have a feeling it won't be long, especially with what's stirring in Wakanda.'
Stephen met her eyes, saw the concern on her features, as he added,
'There's been a significant surge of activity in the multiverse. Not the good kind, either.'
'Yes, I've noticed it too,' Jade agreed, 'You believe they're connected. This...event...with Thor, and the unrest in the multiverse.'
'So do you,' Stephen responded, with a tiny, self-satisfied grin.
Jade nodded, then sighed,
'Unfortunately, until we know what we're dealing with, we don't know how to defend against it.'
'I'm doing my best to figure it out,' Stephen assured her, tersely, drawing a confused look.
'Stephen, you aren't tasked with dealing with this alone,' Jade reminded, earning an angry glare.
'Well, it sure feels that way, sometimes,' he snapped, curtly.
Jade shot him a hurt look, but didn't reply, and turned to gaze out over the sea, leaning on her Staff.
Cloak gave Stephen a sharp jab in the ribs, clearly displeased with his rude behavior, but Stephen gave a scowl, ignored it.
Cloak offered an offended ruffle in return.
After a few minutes of silence, Jade finally suggested,
'You should take what's left of Mjolnir back to New York, with you. If Thor comes looking for it, that's the first place he'll go.'
'What if someone else comes looking for it?'
Jade raised her eyebrows, gripped her staff, responded,
'I guess it depends on who it is,' with a wry half grin.
Despite himself, Stephen had to match her smile, with a shake of his head.
Still smiling, Jade headed toward her gateway, with a call over her shoulder,
'Always a pleasure, Doctor.'
'Likewise, Master Jade,' Stephen replied.
As his troubled gaze fell back to Mjolnir, he muttered,
'Exactly what am I supposed to do...with you?'