Disclaimer: I do not own any character from Marvel; all rights belong to their respective owners.
Chapter 4
Thunder Fall Pt 2
Norway, Outside the Battlefield
"Let me go! We can walk from here!" Jane foster screamed pushing away the two soldiers that had tried to keep her on the truck.
"Lady we're fine with you hippies gettin' what's coming to you but we have orders to get you to the nearest town. So get on the fucking truck!"
"Thor is our leader! We aren't going to abandon him!"
"Are you serious? Lady, there's freakin' super-soldiers down there! They go through walls like sand at the beach. What gonna happen when one of them comes flying at you?"
"You really think you can help Thor? What are you going to do?"
Jane looked down at the valley below. Massive bolts of lightning struck the ground below. Massive shadows were thrown across the mountain range as the area was lit up by the increasingly deadly bolts of electricity.
"I don't know…prey I guess. Just to let him know that we still believe in him."
Valley Below
Quicksilver ran across the battlefield, dodging arc after arc of electricity as Thor pointed his hammer at the speeding mutant.
Hawkeye dove to the ground as Cap used his shield to block a bolt of lightning, defending them both from the force of nature.
"Get that damn belt off! Without the control harness he can't conjure the storms!" Cap shouted out.
"I've got him!" Hank hollered as he grew to about twenty feet and lunged forward, swatting at Thor with his hand.
Thor saw the attack and flew out of the way before circling back. He shot forward with Mjolnir outstretched, prepared to slam weapon first into his former ally.
"Forgive me Hank." Thor said as he increased speed.
"You'll have to forgive me then!"
A red and grey blur slammed into Thor's side tackling him to the ground where they crashed. The landing caused a massive crater, the impact sent piles of snow, rock and dirt into the air before falling down like rain.
Iron Man rose from the ground, his targeting array locked on Thor. Thor rose from the ground and lifted his hammer aiming it at the armored hero.
"Don't make me do this Tony." Thor pleaded.
"Stand down Thor. You are under arrest."
"I used to think you were the smart one." Thor sighed. He shot forward swinging his hammer only for Iron Man to leap back with his thrusters before firing off a steady stream of repulsors from his wrist mounted cannon.
Thor raised the axe side of Mjolnir to block the assault as he channeled lightning into his weapon.
"Forgive me friend!" he shouted out before releasing a blast of lightning.
"Jarvis! Shields!"
Iron Man crossed his arms into an X and was encompassed by a sphere of blue energy that blocked the lightning. The bolts of energy slashed across the shield but failed in breaching it.
"Someone back me up!" he screamed as Thor Flew in closer. He reeled back his hammer before letting it fly down axe-side front. The blade cleaved through the shield like butter.
"Oh Hell."
"Tony we lost visual! What's happening?!" Cap shouted out over the coms.
FABOOM!
A figure went flying through the air and crashed into the ground a few meters away. Cap glanced at the crater and saw Iron Man, armor and all, lying in the crater. His armor sported cracks and was sparking near the chest.
KAKRAM!
The group turned to see Thor had landed near them, hammer crackling with energy, an enraged look in his eyes.
"Damn you all for making me do this!"
"You brought this on yourself!" Hawkeye retorted before letting loose a volley of arrows. The tips of the weapons glowed blue as the repuslsor energy stored inside detonated on impact. Thor was sent flying back, tumbling down the snowy slope until he steadied himself on his feet.
He looked up in time to see Pietro leaping into the air before coming down with a powerful sucker punch.
"Gah!" Thor muttered as he felt the blow hit him at 300 MPH. he slumped to the ground before another blow hit him at 400 MPH. "Grah!"
SHIELD Mobile Command Ship, Grounded
Nick Fury watched as the satellite feed fed them the images of the battle.
"Captain America and Hawkeye are gonna get killed out there." Professor Braddock said. "I told you Fury, we should have sent our people in first."
"As long as he's wearing the belt, he wields the hammer and therefore is the most powerful super-human on the planet that we know of!" Amy exclaimed.
"Don't worry. My team can handle this. Send in the Excalibur team to back them up.
"Sir! We have something moving back and forth across the valley. 500…600…700 MPH…It's Quicksilver!"
"He can move past speeds of Mach 2?" Amy muttered looking at Fury.
"Lady, you wouldn't believe what my team can do."
Norway, Valley
"GRAHHH!" Thor screamed as the blow to the chest sent him hurtling back down the slope. He continued to tumble until he landed onto more stable ground, regaining his balance.
Thor grunted as he stood. He could see the after clouds of snow billowing through the air. The mutant speedster's blows were as powerful as the Hulks at his current speed. But that didn't deter the god.
"I know you're fast Pietro. But thou can't outrun lightning."
Thor Thrusted his hammer into the air as streams of blue bolts struck it like a lightning rod. The dark clouds above only became worse as screams and booms of thunder echoed across the sky.
Streaks of blue lightning flashed in the air. Pietro saw what was happening and rushed to stop it.
'Can't let him whip of the storms! Got to stop him!'
Thor felt the power of the storm heed his commands as his eyes drifted towards the landscape around him. He saw the mutant speedster and grimaced.
Pietro shot forward, faster than a bullet, fist cocked back. A searing burst of pain coursed up his body, burning his flesh and sending him crashing to the ground.
"GIAAHH!"
Thor watched as the lightning-struck teen slammed into the ground tumbling through the frozen tundra before crashing into a set of pines. The force of the impact splintered the wood, creating a scene of falling trees.
Thor looked up t the raging skies above him and saw four small figures quickly approaching. He narrowed his eyes at the sight of the Excalibur super-heroes shooting through the air.
"Captain Britain to all points! We see Thor! Quicksilver is down! We are in route to Thor! Any back up would be appreciated!"
"This is Widow. I'm airborne and cloaked with Cap and Hawkeye. Stall him for a minute."
"Please! This will be over by the time you get here!" Captain Italy boasted before shooting forward.
"Umberto! Dammit! Full thrust, Carlos, Hugo, full thrust!"
The four colorfully dressed heroes shot forward like missiles, devastating the ground they landed on.
Thor swung his hammer, conjuring a small gust of wind to disperse the plume of dust and snow created by the four captains. When the cloud cleared, a tan fist shot forward.
Thor saw the attack and sidestepped wrapping his free arm around that of his attacker he kicked Italy in the knee, causing him to grunt and drop down. Thor threw him across the ground, sending the man rolling across the frosty tundra.
Before Umberto could recover he felt a bolt of lightning strike him in the chest.
"Gah!" he screamed, shooting back into the forest where he demolished the trees on impact.
"Get him!" Britain shouted out punching Thor across the jaw, actually drawing blood.
Thor stumbled but quickly recovered, swinging his hammer to the right. Brian rolled under the swing as France punched Thor in the stomach. The god grunted but retaliated with a super-powered upper cut that struck home, sending the captain flying.
Spain stood his ground scowling in front of Thor who readied his weapon. "Stand down warrior of Spain. This is not your battle, you are being deceived by my old enemy."
"I can't believe they put up with this bullshit for so long! You are fucking insane!"
Thor scowled at the man and pointed Mjolnir at his chest. "I gave you a chance, let no one forget that!"
Lightning crackled at the tip of the weapon only for his aim to be disturbed. "Gruh!" Thor grunted as his left arm was locked by Captain Britain.
The British soldier had his right arm looped around the thunder god's neck while his left was wrapped under Thor's left arm. He connected his hands, effectively forming a small body lock.
"Unhand me you traitor!" Thor bellowed as she struggled against the super-strong hero.
"Spain! The belt!"
Captain Spain didn't need to be told twice. He dove forward, flying into Thor and tackling him. He grappled with the man, grabbing at the metallic buckle, trying to wrench the garment from it wearer.
"I said!" Thor yelled. "Unhand me!"
With a mighty swing, Thor slammed Mjolnir into Spain's side, causing him to scream in pain. "ARGGG!"
As the blow connected, Thor released his grip on the hammer, allowing it to sail along with Spain, crashing into the man, pinning him beneath the enchanted weapon.
Spain groaned in pain as he felt like a freight train was parked on his chest. He opened his eyes to see Thor's hammer resting on his sternum. Spain smirked as an idea formed in his head. He grabbed the hammer's handle and prepared to lift it.
"Let's see how you like a taste of your own medicine you fucking luna—god this is heavy!" Spain whined as he tried with all his might to remove the hammer from his chest. Unknown to the man, a unique sigil glowed on the hammer's tip, with small writing underneath it.
"Carlos! Stop fooling around and help me dammit!" Britain screamed as he tried to maintain the strangle hold he had on Thor. The thunder-wielding god smirked.
"This proves that you are unworthy! And only the worthy have the right to wield Mjolnir!"
With that said, Thor slammed his elbow into Britain's side, causing him to gasp in pain, the momentary release caused by the attack was not missed. Thor grabbed the captain's arms and threw him over his shoulders, slamming him into the ground before pummeling him with a flurry of punches. Each blow felt like a bag of bricks being taken to Brian's face. Every impact cracked his helmet.
Thor stopped his blows for a moment and saw the bloodied face of Brian Braddock.
"Do you yield?" Thor asked, hoping he would not have to kill the man below him.
"You first!" Hawkeye screamed as he leapt over a ledge. He landed in the snow and rolled forward before releasing a red tipped arrow. The projectile hit Thor in the chest releasing a stream of orange mist.
Thor felt its effects immediately as his skin began to burn like it was on fire. "GRAAAAHHHH!" He screamed as his hair was lit ablaze, his kin burned at the molecular level due to the napalm gas.
"Get him now!" Cap screamed as he hurled his shield at Thor. The blow collided with the targets face. Thor felt his nose bleed from the attack, even through the maddening burning sensation that coursed over his body.
Cap's shield returned to him via the new magnetic gauntlet on his arm, courtesy of Tony. The veteran super-soldier dashed forward shield held up, and slammed into Thor like a battering ram. The man was knocked off his feat but quickly rolled to a recovery position before he received another shield-clad punch from the captain.
Thor, although staggered, refused to back down. Steve lashed out with a powerful stomp-kick only for Thor to grab it. Using his far superior strength, he hurled the captain into the air before he smashed into a tree, breaking it in two.
Thor looked to his left to see his Captain Spain struggling to remove Mjolnir from his body.
Thor held out his arm, willing his hammer back to him.
Suddenly, Spain felt the weight leave his chest and watched as the hammer flew towards its owner.
The hammer was inches from his grasp until a black-armored rocket plowed into him, sending him on a one-way trip to the frozen lake below the hill.
Mjolnir crashed into the snow and lay unmoving.
Thor felt the wind whip past his face, a refreshing feeling compared to burning alive. He felt the cold grasp of a metal hand slam his head into the ground, breaking the ice and sending him face first into the icy depths below.
Natasha hammered the would-be god with her armored clad fist, despite Tony's warning about the suit not being as strong or durable as his other ones, possessing only a fifth of the strength his normal suits possessed it was working wonders for her.
She felt Thor struggle beneath her. The drowning victim grabbed her by the helmet and flipped her forward. Natasha crashed into the rocks below the lake. The armor took the blunt of the blow, but it still hurt like Hell to the super-spy.
She slowly rose to her feet, made even harder by the water's pressure, and saw Thor swimming towards the surface. Natasha's onboard computers also showed micro-fractures on her suit from the previous blow.
'Guess I have to take this out of the water.' She thought to herself. The rocket boots burned to life, propelling her off the lake's floor and towards the surface.
Thor broke the water's surface, his lungs greedily sucked in the air around him. His enhanced physiology gave him a greater breathing rate, but without Mjolnir he was still susceptible to asphyxiation.
Seeing the shoreline he began to swim towards it. After hitting solid ground, he crawled free of the water.
SPLOOOSSH!
Thor turned around to see the Iron Widow rocket forward, slamming into him at super-human speeds, sending him hurtling back where he crashed into the dense green forest, toppling trees as he fell.
Widow shot into the air, flying towards the stormy sky before turning down and blasting forward, aiming for the forest line.
Thor pushed a log off of his torso and stood up, brushing off the dirt and twigs.
"Traitors…the lot of them…damn you Amora!"
Thor ear's perked at the sound of rocket boots. He whirled around to see Widow slam him into the ground.
Valley, One Mile Over
"Everyone! Converge on Thor! Don't give him a chance to recover!" Cap barked out as he helped Brian to his feet.
FWAAABOOM!
The team turned around to see a massive plume of dirt and snow fly into the air.
"That's by the lake." Iron Man said as he flew in towards his recovering teammates.
"Tony go back Natasha up! Keep Thor occupied."
"Easier said than done Cap." Tony muttered before shooting off down to the lakefront.
Cap helped Brian to his feet while the younger man removed his broken helmet. He let the cracked object fall to the snow as he blew his nose, clearing the blood from his nostrils.
"Guy hits like a freight train going 80." He complained.
FAKOOM!
Another cloud of debris rained into the air as the fighting continued. Lightning flashed through the clouds before thunder roared.
"Is Natasha always this angry in a fight?" Captain Britain asked as he saw the American war hero begin to jog down the slope.
"Only when I ask nicely." Cap responded.
Lake Front
Natasha threw another punch that connected with Thor's jaw, staggering him. Not wasting a second, Widow brought her knee up to his chin, knocking him back.
"Guh!" Thor grunted as Widow rushed him again. She launched a roundabout kick at the god who shocked her by grabbing the foot and hoisting her up.
"RAAAHH!" Thor bellowed as he hurled the armor-clad women towards the tree line where she crashed face first into dirt floor.
"Ugh…" she grunted, turning around to see Thor sprinting toward her. Widow sprung to her feet and charged up the weapons on the palms of her suit.
Thor dove forward, tackling the woman to the ground. Natasha wrestled with the enhanced human, each of them exchanged blow after blow, punch after punch.
"Neuro scrambler is online. Would you like to use it?" The bland mechanical voice asked.
"Fuck yes I would like to use it! Right fucking now!" Natasha screamed out in frustration.
She was finally able to break free of Thor's grip with a cheap shot to the balls.
"Guh!" He grunted before Widow kneed him in the throat, and then threw a sucker punch that nailed him in the face.
Thor was thrown off the super-spy and tumbled to the ground. Seeing that he was trying to get up, she rushed into action.
"Neuro scramblers! Full-power!" She screamed, kneeing him in the back while grabbing the sides of his head.
The gloves burned with an intense blue glow and unleashed an enormous current directly into Thor's skull.
If the napalm gas was painful, this was utter Hell. Every neuron in Thor's brain was firing off the same signal: Pain.
"GURRRAAAGHH!" He wailed, clawing at Widow's hands as she continued to grip his skull. Both refused to yield as Widow pushed her knee further into the man's back.
"Just! Stay! Down!" She screamed. She was positive that his brain must've been on fire by this point but even that wasn't enough to stop the man below.
Through the intense pain, Thor was able to create a single thought. The name of the one ally he could always rely on. With a herculean effort, he willed it towards him.
Tony flew in closer as he saw Widow frying Thor's brain.
"Jesus Christ…" he muttered in disbelief at the sight of his friends tearing each other apart.
Tony's thoughts were distract when he heard a distinct metallic hum echo through the air.
"Warning! Incoming projectile!" Jarvis exclaimed.
Tony whirled around to be greeted by the feel of cold metal slamming into his face, knocking him clear out of the sky.
Mjolnir flew past the falling hero as it made its way towards its wielder.
Natasha stomped Thor's head into the ground before she began to pound it into the ground.
"You could've stopped this you pigheaded hippy scum! Instead you bite the hand that fed you and you sold us out! You sent Banner to his death!" Widow wailed as she lifted Thor's head from the dirt. His face was caked in dirt and blood, but he had a look of sheer defiance on his face.
"I did nothing of the sort witch!" he shouted back.
Widow ready another dose of the Neuro scrambler until a metallic hum came from behind her.
KAKLANG!
Went the sound of metal smashing metal. The hammer had struck Widow right in the back, shattering the abdominal armor and sending her sprawling onto the forest floor.
The hammer itself circled around and flew through the air, landing in the secured grip of its owner.
Lightning flashed as thunder boomed, rain began to pour from the sky as Thor lifted his prized weapon into the air.
He stomped towards the pained woman and grabbed her by her shoulder hoisting her up.
"Thor!" Iron Man yelled aiming his weapons at his former friend.
Thor raised his hammer, beckoning a bolt of lightning to descend from the sky, slamming into Iron Man with the force of 12 hundred thousand volts of electricity.
Thor turned back to Widow who was clutching her stomach in pain.
"MY BABY!" She screamed causing Thor to stop.
"What?" he muttered, dropping her onto the ground.
Widow's hand remained wrapped around her abdomen as she cried out in pain. "My baby! What have you done to my baby?!"
"Natasha…what are you…?"
"I was three months pregnant you idiot!" She wailed. "Steve and I…we hadn't told anyone yet…oh god…why Thor?"
The thunder god looked mortified at the words he had just heard.
"Natasha…I'm sorry…I just…"
"Sucker."
Widow spun around as twin machine guns emerged from her wrist, unleashing a hail of hot metal onto Thor's stunned face.
"Grah!" he screamed as he prepared his hammer.
"Not happening!" Iron Man screamed, flying forward and tackling him to the ground.
"Off!" Thor screamed as he grappled with armored avenger.
"Dammit Thor! You're sick! Don't you see it! You need mental help!"
Thor slammed his head against Tony's helmet creating a metallic clang.
"Ugh!"
Thor delivered a powerful stomp kick to remove the metal man from his body. He raised Mjolnir beckoning an arc lightning to strike his weapon, charging it with nature's greatest weapon.
"I tried to warn you…damn you…DAMN YOU ALL!"
Valley, Above the Lake
Wanda trotted down the snow-covered hills as she approached the unconscious form of her brother. Giant-Man (thirty-feet tall) and Wasp (miniature) followed her down. They could see bolts of lightning falling from the sky and striking the crater by the lake.
"He's gonna fry the whole valley with this storm!" Hank screamed over the whipping wind and wet snow blowing past his face.
Wasp regrew to her original size to keep herself from being blown away in the intense wind.
Wanda finally made it to her brother's prone form lying face down in the snow.
"Pietro…" she muttered as she kneeled down, rolling him over so his head rested on her lap so she could nurse his wounded body.
"Wanda!" Wasp called out grabbing the girl's shoulder.
"We need to get down there! Can you teleport us?!"
Wanda looked down at her brother's face before she glared at the illuminated crater.
She raised her hands above her head, placing them together. They began to glow with a hot-pink glow before slowly turning to a dark crimson.
"You should brace yourselves." She said darkly.
Lake Front
Thor hurled another bolt of lightning at the two armored heroes who dodged. The bolt struck the ground, shattering into a flurry sparks and rocks.
Iron Man lunged forward, unleashing a powerful blast from his palm. Thor swung his hammer, deflecting the beam.
Widow continued to pepper him with her arm-mounted machine guns but only succeeded in angering him further.
He swung his hammer, unleashing a torrent of blue lightning at the armored spy.
"Shields full power!" Widow called out as a slim, blue shield covered the front of her armor. Energy met energy as the man-made shield clashed with a force of nature.
The shield was quickly overwhelmed by the surge of power. Thor let out a mighty roar as he increased the power of his lightning, breaking the shield and frying off the top portion of Natasha's armor.
"GIAH!" She screamed before crashing into the ground.
"Widow!" Tony called out as he ran forward, firing his repulsors from his wrists and palms
Thor blocked the attacks with his hammer. "Don't you see what's going on Tony? This has been Amora's ploy from the beginning! Everything you were shown was false!"
Tony ignored the outburst as two small pads attached themselves to his neck beneath his armor. A small speaker-like tuning fork emerged from below Iron Man's helmet and positioned itself in front of where the hero's mouth would be.
"I'm sorry Thor…I just don't believe you."
Tony inhaled sharply before releasing it in the form of an intense scream.
"UUUUWWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
The massive wave of sound ripped cross the landscape, blasting snow off trees while shattering any ice within a two-mile radius.
The blast of sound barreled towards Thor who braced himself for the attack. It hit him like a tsunami. The pressure slammed him like he was under the ocean while his ears exploded in showers of blood as his ear-drums burst.
Whatever scream escaped Thor's mouth was drowned out beneath the force of two million decibles of sound. The god fell to a knee, slamming the axe-end of Mjolnir into the ground to keep himself from being blown away.
With the strength known to very few, Thor lifted his head and saw the faint outline of the armored hero through the distorted air. Pressing his feet into the ground, Thor lifted himself off the ground. Keeping one hand in front of himself.
He lifted Mjolnir with his right hand, narrowing his eyes at Iron Man. Cocking back his arm, he took aim. With a mighty throw, he hurled Mjolnir.
If Tony's ears were not buffered by his helmets audio blockers, he might've heard the metallic hum. Without warning, he felt all the air leave his lungs as a sickening crunch echoed out. He felt his body being lifted off the ground as Thor's hammer broke through his armor.
"GRAHH!"
Iron Man smashed into the rocky shore, the force of the blow sending him skidding across the stones of the shore until he crashed into a set of snow-covered boulders, demolishing them beneath his weight.
The chest plate of his armor was sparking as a jagged scar ran down the front of the chest, crossing the glowing blue core before ending just short of his right hip.
"Suit integrity breached. Estimate damage is 50%. Tactical option is to retreat."
"What are the odds…of that working…?" Tony grunted as he fell forward on his hands and knees.
"In your current situation…20%."
"Great pep talk J…" Tony said with a sarcastic whine.
Thor marched towards the downed Ultimate, hammer swinging by his side.
"You brought this on yourself Tony. I take no joy in this battle."
The blonde haired man lifted his hammer over his head and prepared to bring it down.
A near-blinding flash of crimson light illuminated the area for a brief moment.
Thor turned and Iron Man looked up to see the form of a massive boot being brought down on Thor.
The God braced himself catching the gargantuan foot above, even as it cracked the ground, burying him halfway below ground level.
"Guh!" the god grunted as he looked up at Giant-Man's boot.
"We tried talking you out of this man! We really did!" Hank called out, his voice booming over the sound of whipping wind.
"Janet! Now!"
Wasp shot trough the air like a bullet, zipping by the god so fast he had no time to react. Wasp blasted him in the face with a dose of her stingers, causing him to grunt in pain.
The momentary attack had caused the man to open his mouth.
"I really hate doing this." Wasp muttered as she shot into the god's mouth and traveled into his throat.
Thor felt the flighty Ultimate beneath his skin and realized her plan.
"A brain freeze worked on the Hulk…so why not you?" Wasp muttered as she climbed up Thor's throat to reach the brainstem.
"One sting and its over!" Wasp charged up her fist with a dose of her bio energy before she felt a massive vacuum hit her full force.
"Gah!" she screamed as she realized she was being sucked down Thor's throat.
"No no no no! Thor don't swallow!"
Once Thor felt the miniature woman go down he exhaled a mighty breath that shot her out, sending her spiraling into the air where she crashed into the deep snow.
"Off of me now!" Thor roared pushing up against Giant-Man's foot. Using his free hand, Thor gripped the strap of his hammer and spun it, the weapon quickly picked up speed, creating a miniature cyclone that whipped across the frozen lake.
"What the?! He made a tornado on such a controlled scale!" Hank shouted in disbelief.
The twister slammed into the giant's body, disrupting his balance and causing him to fall back.
The 60-foot tall Ultimate hit the ground hard, causing a miniature tremor that rocked the area.
"I warned you all! Now see what you have wrought upon yourselves!" Thor bellowed as he began to rise in the air.
Lightning flashed through the sky before shooting down onto Thor hammer, creating a sparking hammer aimed at the fallen Giant-Man. The enlarged Ultimate looked up at Thor through the lenses of his goggles.
Thor could see the fear and defiance in the man's eyes. Giant-Man glared up at flying god as lightning flashed across the sky, arcing around the hammer.
"Forgive me Pym!" He roared.
Thor swung his hammer, calling forth a torrent of electricity that streaked towards Giant-Man only to rebound off a crimson shield, slamming into Thor.
The God of Thunder was sent hurtling back, crashing into the ground.
"Impossible!" Thor muttered staring at the ground in shock. He slowly raised his head to see the Scarlet Witch standing near the fallen Wasp, her eyes burning with a crimson aura.
"Witch." Thor grunted.
"This is for my brother, lunatic."
Wanda raised her glowing hand. The crimson aura erupted in an intense burst of energy.
Thor braced himself for the attack and was met with a massive explosion. The man was sent flying back into the snow. He glared up at the witch as she conjured up a flurry of hex bolts that hovered around her like a set of red arrows.
"RAAAH!" She screamed as the bolts shot forward.
Thor swung his hammer unleashing a wave of electrical energy that swept across the battlefield clashing with the arcane projectiles.
The resulting shockwave destroyed both attacks and forced Wanda to throw up a shield while Thor simply fell to a knee.
The Ultimates watched as two of their heavy hitters clashed against each other, each blow sent a massive shockwave through the area, blowing rocks and snow through the air.
"It's over Thor!" Wanda screamed as her crimson aura streamed out around her.
"NO!" Thor hollered unleashing another bolt of lightning. Wanda blocked the attack and retaliated with her own, unleashing a wave of crimson energy at the god.
Thor swatted the blow away with his hammer, standing his ground.
"I always knew you were powerful Wanda…even you don't know how deep that power lies…but there is one difference between you and me little girl."
"What? I'm not a mental patient with delusions of grandeur?"
"No…thou art a mortal of flesh and blood. But I…am a GOD!"
Thor raised his hammer into the air as lightning crashed around him. The arcs of energy darted towards his hammer creating a magnificent blast of electrical energy.
Wanda could feel massive surge in power emanating from the being in front of her. Thor's hammer was connected to the storm above via an enormous current of lightning like a tether to a kite.
"Now…FALL YOU WITCH!"
Thor slammed his hammer into the ground, bringing down a torrent of lightning the likes of which the Ultimates had ever seen.
Wanda conjured all the power she could in that brief instant to shield herself from the forces far above her. The crimson shield clashed against a force of nature that was too great to be contained. Too powerful to be stopped by the powers of a mere mortal.
Wanda's eyes widened in terror. She knew. The second the attack struck the shield she knew it wouldn't hold. The barrier of arcane energy, cracked, again and again. In the last second of rational thought Wanda could muster over the fear, she thought one thing. Help.
Pietro's eyes shot opened.
KRAKAABOOOM!
The shield exploded, allowing the streams of lightning to crash to the ground, obliterating the entire area, reducing it to a smoking crater of charred rock and ash.
"Wanda!" Wasp screamed as she saw the empty crater.
Thor lowered his head in solemn silence.
"Forgive me Wanda…you gave me no ch—GRK!"
The force of an 800 MPH punched socked him in the jaw, the sonic boom emitted from the impact floored him instantly.
"UGH!" Thor landed in the deep snow as the wind whipped past him.
A large cloud of snow had been whipped up in the pattern reminiscent of a speed trail before halting near the edge of the downed Giant-Man. The enlarged Ultimate looked down at the settling cloud to see Wanda clutched in the arms of her older brother Quicksilver.
The shocked mutant looked up at her twin who was panting like a beaten dog. His impact suit was scorched and torn, but otherwise he looked no worse for wear. He looked down at his younger sister and smiled.
Wanda was able to organize her thoughts enough to smile back. Seeing that his sister was okay, Pietro surrendered to the abyss that was unconsciousness.
He fell face first into the snow and lay unmoving. "Pietro!" Wanda screamed, kneeling over her twin.
She quickly checked him over for injuries as Wasp ran to aid her. The size changing Ultimate knelt down next to the silver-haired male and checked his breathing.
"He's alive. Just exhausted."
Thor felt a miniature ping of relief, before it was quickly washed away by the feeling of pain. Pain located specifically in the back of his head.
WHACK!
The metallic disk slammed against the back of Thor' skull, dropping him to a knee. The flying shield circled through the air before landing onto the arm of Captain America.
"Thor! Last chance soldier! Stand down! Or we will put you down!"
Beside him stood Hawkeye, bow loaded with multiple explosive tipped arrows while the Excalibur super-soldiers hovered behind them, like hawks waiting to devour their prey.
"Captain. I respect you…but you are playing a role you will regret. Do not continue this battle else I will have to—"
"Oh shut up!" Captain Italy exclaimed diving forward. He flew directly towards the god and let loose a powerful punch which sent the hero back into the snow.
"Get his belt and he'll lose the power!" Brian screamed.
The four super-soldiers flew towards the downed Ultimate and body-slammed him. The four men grappled with the post-human who thrashed about like an animal.
"Get off me you scoundrels!" Thor wailed, kicking France off of him. The hero slammed into Hawkeye before he could launch his own attack.
"Clint!" Widow screamed pushing off her scorched armor. She turned her head to see Cap rushing forward shield first, blocking the numerous bolts of lightning that flashed about the battlefield.
"Brian get that damned harness off!"
"I'm trying! Jesus he's strong!" Brian raged as he wrestled with the god. Thor snarled before striking out with a head-butt, breaking the capatin's nose in the process.
"GAH!"
The momentary respite was all Thor needed. He stomped kick the Englishman in the gut sending him flying towards Captain America.
Steve saw the attack coming and slid down on the ground, sailing under Brian as he smashed into the snow-covered ground and into Hawkeye.
Cap glared at the thrashing god, fighting like a restrained bull.
"Get off me you TRAITORS!"
Mjolnir burst to life in a stream of lightning and wind, blasting both Italy and Spain off the enraged Thunder God.
Thor glared at the assembled heroes he had once called allies, even friends. Rage was all that could be seen in the god's eyes as he shot into the sky, raising Mjolnir into the air. Bolts of lightning danced across the sky before striking the tundra below, showering the area in smoking debris and sparks.
Cap raised his shield, defending himself from the intense attacks while slowly moving forward.
"Cap to all points! Any fliers or crack-shots take Thor down! I want him nailed and I want that harness!"
Hawkeye rolled the heavy Captain Britain off his body before looking up at the sky. He saw the intense bolts of energy flashing across the tundra surface, incinerating anything they touched.
He saw the energy streaking across the sky and darting towards the valley's edge. Clint's eyes widened in shock as he realized where it was headed.
"Nick! Get off the plane!"
SHIELD Mobile Command Ship
Nick Fury cringed as he saw the beat down Thor was serving to his team. He watched as Cap dodged each blow, bobbing and weaving away from the blows of the enraged god before retaliating with several super-human blows.
The screen started to crackle as Thor charged near Cap. Fury slapped the monitor, trying to clear up the image.
"Dammit! Work!" he screamed smacking it again.
"That doesn't make it better Director!" Amy exclaimed.
Fury turned around and glared at her. The blonde cringed in fear, taking a step back.
"Lady, you better have one Hell of a plan if you wanna stop this!" Fury snarled out.
The blonde bombshell noticeably gulped before turning to one of her control console. She bent over and pulled up the specs for the armor.
"The harness wasn't supposed to be invincible…I might be able to find a weak spot we may have overlooked…"
"Nigrk gr-ak Ouzzzzt!"
The occupants of the jet turned towards the com-set that was sputtering out gibberish. Through the intense crackling Nick recognized the voice. The director of SHIELD stormed towards the device and grabbed a headset.
"Clint? Clint what is it? We can't hear you soldier! Dammit, someone clean up that fucking signal!"
"Sir the storm is playing Yahtzee with our coms, storm clouds are blocking satellite…everything! We're blind here!"
"Son those are not the word I want to hear!"
"Fury!"
The director turned to see Professor Braddock pointing at a monitor screen. The display showed a massive surge of energy barreling towards them.
"Nick! G-rrzk out! NOW!"
Valley, Lake Front
"Nick! Get out of there! Dammit! Wanda!"
The scarlet Witch looked up to see Hawkeye stumbling towards her through the snow.
"Wake Pietro up! Do it now!"
"He's unconscious!"
"Use your powers and wake him up! Nick and everyone else are gonna die if you don't!"
Wanda looked towards the direction of the plane and saw lightning smashing through rocks on its way towards the jet.
Wanda looked down at he wounded sibling, eyes glowing red. She placed her hands on the side of her brother's head before speaking.
"Pietro…I need you brother…we need you…"
SHIELD Mobile Command Ship
"Everyone out! NOW!" Fury screamed, slamming his hand on the control panel.
The jet's belly opened to allow a small ramp to descend to the ground.
"Everyone grab what you can and he—"
"Braddock forget the data everyone out!" Fury screamed, ushering the people out before a massive bolt of lightning demolished the jet.
KABOOOMM!
Fury felt himself being carried at an incredible speed before being dropped onto the ground. He rolled several meters before finally stopping. The cold touch of the snow was the first sensation he felt before a massive case of whiplash.
"Ugh…" he groaned.
"BLUARGH!"
Fury turned his head to see James Braddock puking his guts out on the ground.
"How…the…"
"You…can thank me…later…" Pietro said through ragged breaths as he held Dr. Encante in his arm, bridal style.
"Uh…th-thank you…" Amy said with wide eyes.
Pietro smiled down at her with a cocky grin. "Not a problem ma'am. Anything for a pretty girl…why do I sound like Tony?"
"Nick! Nick are you okay?! Dammit does anyone copy?!"
"Clint…we're fine…"
"Nick this is Wanda! Is Pietro okay!"
"He's fine…hitting on Thor's Ex to be exact. Note to self keep him away from Tony in near future."
"Nick! It's Widow! We need every post-human we can get! Send Pietro back!"
Pietro smiled down at the doctor again before setting her on the ground.
"Duty calls."
Quicksilver shot across the ground before falling face first into the ground.
"Pietro!"
Fury jogged towards the mutant as he tried to pick himself up. Fury helped him to his knees and noticed he was panting.
"Just…a little tired…one more try…"
Quicksilver tried to stand but his knees buckled. Fury caught him and lowered him onto his back.
"Fury to all Ultimates. Pietro's tapped. You got no back up."
Valley, Lake Front
"Dammit!" Clint swore reloading his bow's clip. The spent arrow box ejected from the square container and into the snow.
"We're on our own guys. Quicksilver is spent." He muttered, loading another arrow box into his Stark-Tech bow.
"Dammit. He was one of our big guns in this fight." Widow muttered.
"Hank and Wasp?" Wanda asked as she tried to stand, stumbled, and fell.
"Giant-Man's too big a target in this storm and Wasp's brain sting trick didn't work."
Natasha tried to stand before her leg buckled.
"Gah!"
"Nat!" Clint shouted catching her.
Black Widow looked down at her leg to see a shard of metal imbedded in her calf.
"Fuck!" she screamed.
Clint pulled off one of her gloves and gave it back to her.
"Bite on this."
Widow glared down at the piece of metal before snatching the glove.
"Just rip it out quick, eh?"
The redhead bit down on the leather glove before Clint grabbed the metal shard and ripped it out of the leg, spraying blood onto the white ground.
"GRUH!"
"You've had worse Nat. How long 'til you can walk?"
Widow cringed at the pain, using the glove to tie the wound closed. "n hour at the least. I'm out comrade."
"This day just gets better and better." Clint muttered before standing up. He began walking towards the sight of the battle, arrow notched.
"Hawkeye! You're going after him with a fucking bow!" Wanda screamed.
"Yeah? Tell me something I don't know. But we got no backup, half the team's down and I need you here to keep the lightning off of everyone else. One way or another this ends tonight."
Hawkeye began to jog through the snow as he made his way towards the battle.
"He'll get himself killed!"
"Please…" Widow muttered as Wanda helped her into a sitting position. "…you get between Hawkeye and his family…you are going to regret it."
Thor hovered in the air as lighting slammed into the Excalibur super team. The arcs of electricity coursed over the team's members, keeping them pinned to the ground
"Thor!" Cap screamed, only to be ignored by the furious deity commanding the storm.
Iron Man trudged forward, armor wrenched and broken and fell to a knee not far from his team leader. Cap sprinted to his side, helping him up.
"Tony! I need you to fly up there and take him out!"
"Cap…my suit below a quarter of power and my rocket boots are toast… for shit's sake my targeting array is dead too…"
"I'll take it from here Stark!" Hawkeye called out.
The two Ultimates turned to see Hawkeye perched on a ledge, bow notched an aimed at Thor.
The man took a deep breath, steadying his heartbeat and locking his eyes on the man in the sky.
"Two size changing super-heroes, a pair of ex-mutant terrorists, a living legend, playboy billionaire in a six-billion dollar suit and a super-spy…and I got a bow and arrow. None of this makes any sense."
Hawkeye took one last breath and held it.
The arrow was notched and then it wasn't.
The arrow flew, right through the air and right towards the target.
Thor lifted his Mjolnir high into the air.
"THIS ENDS NOW!"
KABOOM!
"Grah!"
Thor wailed in pain as he clutched his now bleeding and smoking left eye. Hawkeye's arrow had hit its mark and exploded.
The God of Thunder fell from the sky, crashing into the snow.
The lightning lost its intensity, leaving the Excalibur team to moan in pain.
"Thor's grounded! Ultimates! Take him down!" Captain America screamed.
The first avenger charged forward, followed by Iron Man and a sprinting Hawkeye.
Thor spit out blood and gripped his eye. The damage would heal, that much he knew. He gripped Mjolnir by the handle and lifted it.
"Why do you do this…Amora? Why must you destroy everything that I love?"
Lightning flashed. Thor turned his head to see the last trio of Ultimates staring him down from across the tundra.
Thor lifted his hammer and pointed it at the group. He said nothing. He just stared at them.
Iron Man raised his right arm, readying his repulsor. The arm-mounted canon glowed an intense azure blue.
Hawkeye aimed his bow while Cap leveled his shield.
"It's over Thor!" Hawkeye screamed.
"You're done!"
"No." He responded.
An arc of lightning ripped through the air striking Hawkeye across the side.
"ARGH!"
"Clint!" Cap screamed.
Iron Man fired off his repulsor only for it to be halved by the axe-end of Mjolnir.
Thor swung his weapon while Iron Man threw a haymaker.
Cap leapt out of their paths, diving into the snow.
Metal arm met enchanted hammer, the blow was deafening.
KAKLANG!
A shockwave of power exploded from the blow as metal shards exploded outward.
"GIAAHH!"
"TONY!" Cap screamed as he saw the billionaire's arm split. Bone pierced the flesh as his arm shattered under the blow.
"ARGH!" He screamed falling to a knee, a powerful blow by Mjolnir sent him hurtling back. He crash landed in the snow not ten feet from Captain America.
"Stark!" Clint screamed as he scrambled for his bow. He grabbed the black gripped handle and pulled it out of the snow. A look of mortification formed on his face as he looked at the destroyed weapon. The bow was burnt and partially melted while also being split in two.
"CAP! RUN!"
Steve Rogers glared across the tundra at the hammer wielding post-human.
"Is this what you wanted Amora? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED?!" he screamed.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared. Rain crashed ground with the force of hail, pelting the land like a horde of bees. The living legend raised his shield while Thor gripped his hammer with both hands.
"I'VE DONE WHAT YOU WANTED! I HAVE BETRAYED MY FRIENDS! WOUNDED MY ALLIES! MY FRIENDS! FOR THIS ENCGHATRESS…I SWEAR TO YOU, BY ODIN'S BLOOD, I WILL KILL YOU!"
"Thor this stops now." Captain America stated.
"Captain…please…"
"You're done!" Cap roared dashing forward. He hurled his shield at the Thor who swatted it aside.
Cap punched the man across the jaw before he locked the arm in place.
"Forgive me Rogers!" He roared.
Thor lifted the captian ovr his shoulder and elbowed him the gut.
"OOF!"
Thor delivered a brutal sidekick to the man's stomach sending him skidding across the snow.
Cap removed his busted helmet/mask, tossing it aside. He grabbed his shield from off the ground and glared up at the god.
Thor's hammer sparked with lightning, warning the captain to raise his shield.
Instead of calling a bolt of lightning upon the captain, Thor brought the bolt down to his hammer before smashing it into the ground.
The snow erupted in a burst of energy, sweeping the avenger off his feet and onto his back.
Thor stomped towards the captain until he felt a heavy weight grab onto the belt at his waist. He looked down to see the near totaled form of Iron Man grabbing at him.
"T-t-thor…please…"
The god grabbed the armored hero by his collar and lifted him into the air.
"Thor…don't do it!" Cap screamed.
"Thor…don't…" Clint whispered as he gripped his side. His eyes darted across the snow-covered ground for anything, a rock, an arrowhead, anything he could use as a projectile.
Thor glared through the destroyed helmet, locking eyes with the man inside the armor.
"Thor!" Cap screamed drawing his attention.
"Please! Please…stop!"
Thor gripped Mjolnir and looked around him.
As he did so, the rage began to die.
The valley was on fire.
Trees burned, snow was little more than white powder scattered around while massive craters dotted the land. He looked around at the damage in the valley.
His eyes swept over snow-covered battleground and finally towards the mountain ridge where his compatriots were. What he saw made his heart ache.
He saw his group standing on the ridge, surrounded by military trucks and SHIELD soldiers. But that wasn't what made his heart weep. It was the look in their eyes. When before it had been admiration, hope and joy; but now in its place was fear.
They had scene what he could do. How far he was willing to go. And it frightened them. It frightened his friends. And it frightened Jane. The closest person he knew on Midgard. The person who might be more than what she seemed. She was afraid.
Thor turned back to look at the people he had once called 'allies' to see they held the same look. He had seen the desperation to stop him. But it was not out of fear for their own lives, but for the lives of the billions on the planet that they feared he might take. And seeing the damage he had done in his rage, he couldn't blame them.
Thor felt his grip slaking, the metal handle slipping from his hand. He was vaguely aware of the small 'crunch' sound made when Mjolnir hit the snow.
The sky still cried, rain still poured and thunder still boomed.
"Captain…" the demoralized man said.
Captain America picked himself off the ground and limped to a standing position. He saw Tony slumped against the ground, cradling his broken arm while watching the two stand straight across from each other.
"I surrender."
Several laser red dots appeared on Thor's body, painting every major artery on his body in a crimson hue.
A small platoon of heavy armor SHIELD soldiers, newly arrived, pointed the cannons and high-calibur weapons at the god.
"Give the word Captain Rogers and will ventilate this creep!" One shouted out.
The blonde haired man looked Thor in the eye as the latter merely looked at the ground. Steve had seen many things in his brief, yet long, life. One thing that always pained him was seeing a man with a broken will, and that was what he saw in those eyes.
He raised his hand to placate the soldiers surrounding them, the troops responded by lowering their weapons.
"He's done. It's over."
12 Hours Later, Triskelion, Fury's Office
Nick Fury sat in his chair hands folded in front of hi on his desk as he mentally reviewed the battle that had been 'won' less than a day ago. The ferocity of that battle and how it had continued to go back and forth was astounding. Unreal. And it reminded Fury on why he had created the Ultimates in the first place.
Across from the one-eyed director sat Captain America, without his shield or his uniform, simply wearing a white shirt and cargos. Hawkeye was in a similar attire but with the addition of a camo jacket.
Both men sported several bandages but looked otherwise no worse for wear.
"How are the others?" Steve asked.
Fury sighed before pulling out the medical reports and handing them to the captain.
"We were lucky. Most were basic combat injuries such as concussions, cuts, bruises, the occasional broken bone…but no casualties or seriously debilitating wounds. The worst of them went to Brian and Tony, both of whom will make full recovery, Tony probably faster."
"How so?" Steve asked looking up from the medical reports.
"The nanite fleet he uses to control his Iron Man tech. Gives him a low level healing factor that he can augment. He upgraded it about a month after the Chitauri incident."
"How's he doing emotionally? We all knew he was pretty tight with Thor before the whole smashing cops and encouraging riots acts started up." Clint added.
"Honestly, he's taking it well. Out of all of us he'll probably be one of the first to visit Thor in the brig to try and clear the air. He might even convince him to actually get help."
"So…what else is bothering you?" Clint asked.
Steve looked between the two men. Fury sighed and pulled out a digital tablet and turned it on. After a brief moment of entering some commands he passed it to the Captain.
"Is this…?"
"The Middle-East. We got trouble brewing."
Sub-basement, Prison Area
Thor sat in the middle of an empty cross like cell made from specialized nano-glass built to contain beings like the Hulk. Fitting as this was the exact cell that had once been homed to Bruce Banner.
"A little bland I have to admit." A seductive feminine voice drawled out.
Amy Encante strode into the room with a sway in her step, the aura around her exuded seduction and confidence. The way she moved, talked and acted were a complete 180 compared to the more reserved and quiet scientist the Ultimates had met just the previous night.
The woman walked towards the cell and strode around it. Examining the prison like an architect would examine his most prized piece of art.
"Drab. Just plain drab. After centuries of advancement in the primitive's way of life and their art had not improved at all. I've seen the Mona Lisa. It's just…ugh. So boring. Even Sif looks better than her."
"How'd you get in here?" Thor questioned, not bothering to look up. His body had been stripped of his armor and replaced with white scrubs and a straight jacket lined with metallic locks and coils.
"Y'know…even all bloody and bruised you are still quite fetching Odinson…" Amy purred as she pressed herself up against the glass.
"You didn't answer my question Amora. I demand an answer Enchantress. I requested that I have no visitors."
"You really think that I had to seek permission? Or use a door? I can move anywhere in this filthy pig-sty of a realm. I can bend the fabric of this world to my whims with my arcane arts. You're magic is no match for mine Odinson. I have no equal."
"Why have you come here? Why do you insist on destroying the world my father, your king, once protected?"
"Odin is not my king. I have no ruler, no master to answer to."
"You once answered to Loki." Thor said darkly.
Amora smirked at that remarked, not startled or unnerved in the slightest.
"I once did…but now I am the stronger. The trickster has not been seen in years. He has not returned to Asgard, nor will he ever be welcomed there."
Thor looked own at the ground again. The subtle look of pain sent a surge of satisfaction through the blonde witch. She loved to see the God of Thunder wallow in the suffering she caused.
"Where is my armor? My hammer?" he asked. "How did you explain the enchantment on Mjolnir?"
"Oh I simply suggested that we take the equipment and dismantle it. As for the hammer…well, I struck up a little white lie. I told them that you're suit had ionized it to the point were it had created its own gravimetric field to keep itself grounded. It's right where you left it. No one can lift it. And no one ever will."
"And how did you explain me? How did you tell them that I haven't lost my strength? My power?"
"The suit had been attached to you for so long that the energy it channeled permeated your body and enhanced your physiology to post-human levels. It's amazing what these mortal scientists will fall for. Especially when you look like this."
Amora struck a seductive pose that emphasized her buxom chest and well endowed rear.
"A simple wink and a flash of skin is all it took to have them like puddy in my hands. They are so weak. Even weaker than the foolish men on Asgard."
"My father will stop you Amora. Your scheme will not succe—"
"You don't even know my scheme! You have no idea what it is that I am planning!" Amora sneered out with a near ecstatic grin.
"It's beyond anything you could even imagine! And as for the All-Father…he won't lift a finger to help Midgard. He didn't even bat his eyebrow at what befell you, did he?"
Thor snarled in response.
"See? If anyone is carrying out Odin's will it's me. You should help me Thor."
The Enchantress moved closer to the bound god. Lowering herself so that she was right in front of Thor's face. The God of Thunder didn't bother to question how she had moved from the outside of the cell to the inside as fast as she did.
"Join me Thor. We can rule this planet as we were meant to! It can all be ours!"
Thor eyes still held the same broken spirit they had when he surrendered to the Ultimates. The same look of defeat. He could easily break free of his bonds, and within hours, be free of the Triskelion. It would only take a single thought to beckon his hammer to him. A mere whisper of a thought. It was almost like an instinct to him, honed after years of combat, years of war.
"The answer is no Amora. I will not be a willing accomplice in your games. You have taken everything from me. My friends. My allies. Even my will to fight. You even took the life of poor Bruce Banner. But even so, I will not join you in your lust for power."
The Enchantress sighed before standing up.
"Even when I'm being honest…you still spurn my affections. The brute's death was a necessity. He was not a creature I could control. Either through my wiles nor through my machinations. That beast could not be tamed. Besides, I have enough muscle on my side already."
"Ha. Skurge the Executioner. If you believe he is all you will need to defeat the Ultimates you are sadly mistaken."
"Oh I am no fool. I know of their powers. And I am prepared. I will tear this realm apart until everything you love is ash. And once I ear the screams of despair echo from your lungs, I will give you an all to merciful death!"
Thor had had enough.
"Guard! Guard! There's an intruder in my cell!"
Prison Control Room
The guard in charge of Thor's cell heard the man's shouting and flipped a switch.
"What is it?"
"There's an intruder in my cell!"
The guard quickly looked towards the monitors and cycled through the multiple angles of the cell. Each one came up negative, even the heat sensors.
The man sighed in irritation before leaning back in his seat. He hit the com button before speaking.
"There's no one there." He said turning off the speaker. "Freakin' nut job."
Thor's Cell
"Aww…does the big mean guard not believe you?" Amora teased as her body began to glow and shimmer.
"Maybe they're right about you…maybe this is all in your head."
The form of the evil beauty blurred out of existence leaving behind the lone occupant of the cell.
Another chapter done. And one step closer to the next chapter.
Next Time: Wolf Among Sheep!