Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel Cinematic Universe or anything else you may recognize

Thank you to everyone who has favorited, followed or reviewed this fic so far.

And thank you to Brainstorm Sorcerer for his help once more, much appreciated.

Guest: I'd say M'Baku personally.

Screw Loose: Thanks for the review. Yes, Galactus is. Thor is the God of Thunder, not the God of Love. I like Jenna Coleman's performance, she is amazing, and I think the basic concept of Clara was fine. That'd be it on what I like. Outside of that, she is a walking plot convenience who can do whatever the script demands because the plot needs to be moved, and her behavior towards The Doctor in the Christmas special is just creepy, I really don't like her after that.

THWA: Thanks for the review, glad its interesting.

Chapter 2- The Black Winter

It had been a day now since Galactus had fallen on Earth. The Avengers had asked what had happened here, but Sif was keeping Steve updated, who was in turn keeping the rest of the Avengers updated about the whole situation.

Sif had also assured them all that they'd handle this, because even Galactus had come to them for a reason, and all of them, the Asgardians and Avengers, trusted Thor, so the Avengers were not directly involved in this matter for now.

Galactus' fall had caused a lot of casualties and destruction on Asgardia, with the power that was used to make the city fly having nearly crumbled under his falling body, and only barely held on.

The snow that has fallen upon the city now began to cause a rot to develop through the city, and through the crystal tree meant to represent Yggdrasil, it began to crack and blacken, showing that the World Tree...was dying.

Thor sat on the center chair meant for the King in the Council Chambers, and looked at all those sitting around him. "I have scoured the Galaxies to find you all and bring you here. Though we may have fought on opposing sides, now is not the time for conflict, now is the time for answers, so tell me..." Thor looked at the assembled Heralds of Galactus- Terrax, Stardust, Firelord and Air-Walker, all having been brought here for answers, "What in the damned HEL is a Star Plague?! What is this "Black Winter"?" He got no response as all of them just sat silently. "One of you answer me!"

"It is the end. Of everything."

They all turned to see Norrin Radd the Silver Surfer walking into the Council room through a wall. "Hello Thor."

"Norrin, I expected you sooner." Thor noted, looking at his friend.

"Time on Earth has dulled the senses I once used to fly across the stars, but despite my delay, we must act quickly."

Then Norrin turned to look at the other Heralds. "How much do you know of Galactus' birth? How he came to be who he is now?"

Terrax was the one who answered this. "He was once Galan of Taa, of the Universe that came before, the sole survivor of it's unknown destruction."

"Except, its not unknown", Surfer pointed out to him. "The Star Plague. The Blight Storm. The Rot Blizzard. Many names, but one truth….it is the one true end. The Black Winter."

"How do we stop it?" Thor immediately asked the important question.

"We do not", Surfer said grimly. "The Black Winter killed the Universe before ours. Like Galactus devours worlds, the Black Winter comes for realities, Thor." It was clear there was a 'but' though, and Surfer revealed what that was. "However, Galactus is the only one who has ever survived the Winter. Twice now, once on Taa, and now, weeks ago, he witnessed it and narrowly escaped its path before crashing upon Asgardia." Surfer looked at all of them, mainly Thor. "He must be the one to face it again, but first…."

Between his hands, the Surfer revealed a projection showing five planets, all unique in various ways.

"….He must feed. In my time as his Herald, I gained knowledge of five…..very special planets. Worlds whose rare and unique energies would give Galactus powers beyond imagination. I have hidden these worlds from him for a very long time."

Then Norrin walked to Thor and said to him. "Until now, he is our only chance." Then Norrin whispered to Thor so only they could hear. "However, there are actually six worlds. One is Arda, that I reveal to you in confidence, he must never know of that."

Thor nodded very slightly, so no one else could see the movement

Then Surfer said to everyone in the room. "If all else fails, then no matter how any of us feel, then Galactus must feed, no matter the cost."

"These other worlds, they are more powerful than the worlds which he usually devours." Thor realized.

"That is true. Four planets alone allow Galactus to battle the Celestials, but five of these worlds? I am truly fearful of what he may become, but the Black Winter is the absolute end to universes, it is unstoppable. The outcome of this battle...I cannot foresee."

"In that case", Stardust finally spoke up, looking at all. "Which of us is taking him?"

"I am", Surfer told everyone, walking forth. "I will be his Herald on this journey."

"Aye", Thor nodded in agreement, before the resolve in his eyes was witnessed by all, lightning cracking upon him. "But you will not be going alone either."

Later, Thor sat alone in his chambers, remembering Sif telling him 'I'm afraid your smiting days are over', then he wiped the quip that Yelena had scribbled upon the blade of the ax, his armor appearing around him by itself as well.

Sensing something nearby, Thor simply said. "Say what you have to, brother."

Loki walked next to Thor, now finally saying his piece. "I know you are conflicted, brother. Of your fate as King, and your current task."

"I need no words of encouragement, brother."

"Then let this be a harsh reminder. This quest does not call for a hero. It calls for a King. Kings must make the decisions that risk the lives of many, his people, and others. Don't be Odin, but do not forget his lessons. Impossible choices must be made, and you need to remember that what you do is to stave off something worse than even Galactus. When the time comes, and I fear it will, remember, you may need to make the wrong choice, but for the right reasons."

Thor realized what was needed now. He must set aside the Hero, to be a King. A Protector. A Savior. No matter how painful it will be.

"Thank you for telling me, brother", Thor said, then walked out of the chamber, Loki walking until the door, where he saw Rebekah standing nearby.

"You heard?" He inquired of her.

"Every word", she confessed to him. "I think I understand though."

"Really?"

"Freya, our sister, she may not be a Queen or King or whatever, but she has made hard choices for our family too", she said to him. "Now I guess your brother will have to do the same…..for the whole Universe probably."

"Indeed", Loki nodded, both of them sharing a quick kiss on the lips as Kol appeared nearby as well.

"You think he's up for it?" He asked the God of Mischief.

"Truthfully, this time even I'm not sure."

Thor and the Heralds had assembled outside now, the whole city undergoing massive magical repairs.

The forces of Asgardia were on their ships ready to help people flee their worlds that are destined to die. When that happens, it will be Loki who will expand the city with magic to accommodate the new residents (until they find a new home).

Thor knows what will happen will not only affect billions, but him too, he now begins his real reign as King with the promise of destruction.

The black reign of the Thunder King.

But first, Galactus, who was forced to go down to Earth, the water only as deep as his calves, was addressed by Thor.

"Galactus!" Thor boomed as the sky shook from the storm appearing at his call, the lightning flashing across the world as he told the Devourer of Worlds. "KNEEL!"

Then, Thor was most shocked out of anyone present when Galactus followed the order, actually kneeling to the All-Father, the God of Thunder, the King of Asgard.

"I can feel you in my head, Galactus", Surfer said, hovering near the Devourer on his board. "Am I to assume you know of the plan? Of the truth?"

"I do, Surfer", Galactus said with a nod, now lifting his head up. "That you could shield these things from my mind, that you yet conceal the locations of these five planets from me, I am impressed."

Surfer gestured to Thor, who stood in the middle of the other Heralds, the rest of Asgardia behind them at a distance, the ships ready. "King Thor has graciously agreed to accompany us with his battalion to see the denizens of these planets to safety. Shall we begin….." Norrin bowed to his former master. "Master?"

Surfer felt his power return to him, and realized he could now leave Earth once more.

Thor's axe radiated the otherworldly flames and lightning at Norrin having to prostrate before his old master.

But Galactus' next words were a shock to his former Herald. "No."

"No?" Norrin looked at Galactus, the surprise on his face clear. "I-I do not understand what you're trying to say here."

"The Frost. The Star Plague. Is not a being. Each galaxy or entity that gazes into it perceives it differently", Galactus revealed the full truth about the Black Winter now. "Just as I am perceived differently by each of you."

He gritted his teeth, sounding a little scared, which was unnerving in itself. "The Black Winter, however, when you gaze into it, you see the form of your own true death." His eyes were wide as he said. "I have gazed into it twice by now."

As they listened, he remembered, narrating it to all of them. "Once when I was Galan of Taa, I watched my Universe die before my very eyes, and I saw nothing, for I had not yet seen the Cosmic wonders I know today. So to me it appeared as a great blackness, a Void. As I could not fathom such things with a mortal mind."

Now he looked even more scared than usual. "But then I saw it again, and do you know what I saw, Norrin?" No response, as he continued. "What I saw-" he aimed his hand outwards, a bright light shining down from it. "-as the embodiment of my one true death?"

His hand was aimed at Thor now.

"I saw THOR!"

"NO!" Norrin cried out in horror.

Thor let out a roar, while Korg tried to run to Thor to save him. "Bro!"

Valkyrie stopped him. "Korg, no! That power will kill you!"

The bright light now covered the roaring Thor, as Galactus revealed the truth at last.

"I did not happen upon Asgardia. I did not come here for any kind of asylum. If you are to be my end, Thunder God", Thor could be heard grunting inside the bright light now. "Then we shall first kill the Black Winter, together. And when we are done, I would have you close by me."

Galactus stopped what he was doing, the bright light slowly fading now.

"So that I may have words with thee. Until then, rise….."

The light faded to reveal Thor once more, and now, his hair had become longer, and also slightly glowed, his beard too now gone to reveal a clean shaven face, his sclera were alight in Cosmic power, Stormbreaker was no longer Uru and wood, but made from solidified lightning.

The rune on his chest, thurisaz, and the edges of his cape, were all alight with the same Cosmic power running through his veins.

His Cosmic firmament twinkled inside his quasi-transparent surcoat as the silver medallions formed the pattern for the rune.

"…..HERALD OF THUNDER!"

And that's the end of Chapter 2 now. So, Rebekah has shifted to MCU Earth to be with Loki, and Kol shifted with her since I'm very sure that he and Rebekah are pretty close, so he'd want to be near her.

Klaus and Hayley would be raising Hope in a secluded area while Freya is the only one still living in New Orleans, but she'd have Erik to give her company, fortunately.

For Elijah, you'll see, all of this shall be covered in 'When Heroes live their lives'.

Things are slowly getting worse for all involved.

Thanks a lot to Brainstorm Sorcerer for his help once more.

Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with another chapter.