AN: It seems I need to again elaborate as to why I am bringing the powers of everyone across the board down to earth in this story so to speak, and what is my problem with many of the more powerful entities in the MCU as far as this story intent is concerned. This came from a discussion about the Sorcerers and their place in this story if any, and my problems with them.
The problem isn't what Sith Tony can or can't manipulate or blow up. It's what militaries with modernized and future technology can and can not blow up, including those of interstellar civilizations, which appearently have little to no access to magic, yet aren't plagued by constant threats of elder gods, demons, etc... Ideally, unless things have went terribly wrong, Sith Tony shouldn't be fighting at all, and this included his encounter with the Destroyer. His need to pick up Mjolnir and use it was a failure state.
The power of the sorcerers in question, and the threats they deal with is the issue, because they really don't fit with a more grounded timeline like the one this story takes place in. So it is either nerfing them, or not having them as a factor, and this includes the threats they are dealing with.
Now, If I was telling a superhero, or even a traditional hero centered story, you will be absolutely right, what I am doing would be counterproductive in the extreme. However, that's not the kind of story I am telling. Ultimately, this is the kind of story, where conventional military forces with the right equipment are meant to matter more than any individual hero, or group of heroes. And this runs face-first into a concrete wall when we get sorcerers into the picture, who are as matter of course dealing with gods, super-powered demons, and other world-ending threats on a regular basis.
We are talking the kind of threat that the Asgard in this story, one of the most advanced societies out there blending magic and technology would need strategic weapons, not individual heroes, even Thor, Hela, or Odin at their peak of power to have a prayer of handling.
Does this put things in perspective as to why the sorcerers as we know them are an issue and why I don't have Captain Marvel flying around for example?
Disclaimer: I do not own any movies set up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe or Star Wars movies, cartoons, games, books, or comics. They belong to their respective copyright owners. This story is not created with a commercial aim. It is not for sale or rent.
Phase 14:Disclosure
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Part 3
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Tens of thousands experienced the scare of their lives last night when what appeared to be a low-flying missile crossed the United States from New Mexico to New York. The object moving at supersonic speeds landed in Tony Stark's manor in New York, where multiple cameras snapped pictures of it as it slowed down. To witnesses' utter disbelief, it was no missile or gadget Mr. Stark was testing. It was a hammer. You heard me right! It was a hammer, but not just any hammer; that was Mjolnir!
Our government is still to disclose many things about First Contact!
CNN
Further revelations are coming about the identity of the aliens we made First Contact with. It's not little green men. It's big, buff, Scandinavian dudes and ladies. It turns out that the Ancient Aliens crowd was right. What you're hearing are the outraged screams of countless historians and archaeologists!
The exiled alien Royalty? That was no lesser character than Thor Odinson, son of King Odin of Asgard. The Asgardians are, in fact, advanced aliens who have visited Earth before, the last time being three hundred years ago. They are the inspiration for many Norse religions and myths.
Government officials claim that waiting to disclose this part was because it is frankly hard to believe. Harder than aliens being real. Well, I would be among those who doubted it until I saw those videos of the flying hammer.
The Late Show
The Pentagon released new footage from the battle in New Mexico. This one shows Tony Stark wielding The Hammer that flew across the country, causing panic last night. We are talking about Mjolnir, which appears to be an advanced alien device that can control the weather. In the new videos, we saw Tony Stark picking it up and wielding it against the alien robot sent to assassinate Prince Thor of Asgard. We also have surviving security videos from the site where Mjolnir initially landed, showing many US soldiers trying their luck, as well as a large blond individual tentatively identified as our alien guest.
The videos of Tony Stark wielding Mjolnir and using lightning from a storm the hammer summoned have gone viral, becoming the most-watched ones on youtube and other social media.
CNN
This is Luke Vader, folks, and this time, we are watching something that isn't yet but should be in Star Wars! You all know what I'm talking about! Our Nerd Overlord, Tony Stark, wields ancient artifacts, commands lightning, and has the memories of an alien general! We saw him fight a machine out of legend!
Could it be? Might we see something about Mr. Stark's alien past in the future of Star Wars? At any rate, there are already fans celebrating the advent of Sith Tony Stark!
After all, one exciting conclusion is that we might see actual tactics depicted in future Star Wars material. That could be either awesome or change Star Wars into being unrecognizable for good or ill.
This is Luke Vader; stay tuned in for more Star Wars news!
From Luke Vader's Star Wars dedicated youtube channel
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Asgard prison realm
Helheim
Hela sat on a replica of the command throne of a battleship and stared down her visitors. After all this time, Tyr had the gal to show his face before her! It was all she could do not to jump at him, trying to tear out his throat with her bare hands.
Doing so would be pointless. She was the only real thing in this place, alongside the food and water she consumed. Everything else was an illusion born of hard light and Seidir.
"What do I owe this distinct displeasure to?"
"I come with an offer. You've been wasting your time stuck here without a chance to change for the better or worse," Tyr began. "We are offering you an alternative."
"What? Do you want me to be the court jester? Or do you find yourselves in need of my particular talents? Have you forgotten how to command and lead, Try?"
"Do you see why I left her here?!" Odin grumbled.
"All I see is more incompetence and stupidity," Tyr shot back, surprising Hela. Was there trouble in paradise? "Do you want to leave this place or not, Hela?"
"It's a bit stale," Hela allowed. Being constantly surrounded by shades was something she could do without.
"Thor found himself a fascinating Midgardian to listen to. One who is worthy. We offer you to change the nature of your sentence to exile on Midgard, where you will hopefully change to fit society." Tyr explained.
"Do you believe the Midgardians can change me when you didn't bother trying?"
"Mjolnir found one of them worthy enough to allow him access to some of its power," Tyr revealed.
That got Hela's attention. Mjolnir was her original weapon. The power of the storm, of lightning, winds, and rain. While those magics and abilities weren't' fully compatible with her, she had a special connection with that weapon.
"How worthy?" Hela asked in anticipation. It had been so long since there was anything to pique her interest. She found herself hungry for new experiences, no matter how fleeting.
Tyr waved a hand, and she saw Mjolnir fly across what could presumably be Midgard, showing it was far more developed than she gave it credit for. It eventually landed in a large garden, where a familiar-looking Midgardian surrounded by others of his kind was waiting for it. Hela curiously watched the interaction between the man and Mjolnir.
"He is rather worthy but not compatible with the powers Mjolnir channels. He isn't strong enough to handle it either."
"He is Midgardian, a mortal. That is only to be expected. His mind and memories are what we are interested in," Tyr waved a hand again, and more of the current Watcher's work revealed itself to them.
Hela could see and hear Midgardians discuss this Tony Stark. He was evidently a person of means and influence among them, which he had earned.
"What do you require of me?"
"Talk with the Midgardian. Learn, and change for the better. Become someone Asgard can live with and be proud of," Tyr challenged her.
Hela's eyes narrowed at him. "Is that all?"
"We will keep your powers bound," Tyr pointed out.
Hela scoffed as if they would have left her out, able to wield her powers.
"Is that it?"
"You will be let into Lord Stark's custody and meet reasonable expectations of conduct, Hela. You will represent Asgard, even if you will hold no official position or power," Odin grumbled. Every time her father opened his mouth, it became clearer and clearer that this wasn't his idea.
"Why?" She asked Tyr.
"The way you were imprisoned was a senseless waste. You should have been either redeemed or declared lost and disposed of. I am giving you the option to damn or save yourself, Hela. Do with it what you will."
"What does this Lord Stark think of being my minder?" Hela chuckled at the idea of a Midgardian being able to handle her, even with her powers bound.
"We will begin negotiations with him soon after we re-establish contact. Now you have some homework to do. Learn what has happened to Asgard and why I would rather have you sane and reasonable, helping or safely dead." Tyr vanished, followed by exhausted-looking Odin.
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Capitol Building
Washington DC
"The Senate's First Contact and the SWORD Initiative hearing begins now. I am Senator Charles Kelly, the Chairman of this proceeding. Dr. Stark, are you ready to answer questions? To tell us the truth as you know it?"
"I am, Mr. Chairman," I answered after my lawyer had given me a nod. The way this game was supposed to be played, I was expected to get a green light on answering questions during the live portion of the hearing from legal so that we would avoid entanglements with secrecy clauses.
"Dr. Stark, before we begin, can you get your hammer to stop being distracting?"
I looked at Mjolnir, which was floating smugly beside the desk we were sitting at as if basking in the attention of the press and those gathered to watch today's proceedings.
"Mjolnir feels too full of itself to behave, Mr. Chairman. If I were reasonably sure it wouldn't cause trouble, I would leave it at home or a research laboratory."
At those words, the hammer fell to the ground with a clang, giving me the impression of being offended by my words.
"Now it's feeling sorry for itself," I added.
"Are you implying the hammer is alive, Dr. Stark?"
"I can sense the impressions of emotions from it, Mr. Chairman. For what we know, it might be indeed alive, depending on how you define being alive."
Now Mjolnir floated up. If it was a dog, I was sure his tail would wag. I looked at it and sighed.
"Now I'm pretty sure it's just fucking with us," I shook my head. "What is the first question you have, Mr. Chairman?"
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Part 4
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Disclosure-related protests continue to sweep the world, with riots erupting in places stoked by local radical factions. The reasons are as varied as the protesting groups. We have everything from people ready to greet our new alien overlords and those eager to welcome them in peace and friendship to violently xenophobic groups who protest against any dealings with alien elements and everything in between.
Euronews
A Humanity First manifesto is spreading through the internet, claiming that Earth and humanity must stand proud and alone, free from alien taint. This message resonates with surprisingly many people feeling that forces outside their control now threaten their place in the world.
Washington Post
Disclosure and the heightened war readiness of many countries across the world did nothing to slow down the fighting in Iran. Loyalist forces in the North completed the encirclement of Tabriz. They began a slow, grinding campaign to destroy the cut-off Revolutionary Guard units within the city. Armor, mechanized, and mountain infantry are sweeping the North, aiming to destroy radical elements and fully secure the country's northern borders. In the East, the Iranian military is slowly fighting to take control of key population centers and roads. They act in preparation for the war's final offensive after the fighting in the north concludes.
In the past days, despite the danger of an alien incursion, US and NATO air power intensified their sorties over Iran, determined to aid in ending the war faster.
BBC World News
About half of Herat and a third of Jalalabad are now in ANA and Coalition hands. This only happened after weeks of heavy fighting that saw whole Afghani formations destroyed and much of the cities in question leveled by artillery and air strikes. Coalition forces increase the deployment of heavy infantry equipped with exosuits and the best personal armor available weekly. In this new age of heavy infantry, Combat Engineers act as shock troops. The Coalition usually deploys them on the front to take enemy strong points when it is not feasible to deploy heavy firepower due to significant civilian presence.
CNN
First Jaeger heavy infantry platoon outfitted with Stark Industries exosuits deployed to Herat. At the same time, anti-war and peace protests grip Germany. Despite government reassurances, many of Germany's allies are unhappy with the expressed mindset of large parts of the German population.
In a scathing tirade, French Foreign Minister Jeanne Petain all but accused Germany of shrinking its defense responsibilities.
"If Germany is to expect and enjoy the mutual defense that NATO and the European Union provide, then it must be ready to respond in kind. Germany must not only contribute with economic aid but boots on the ground when necessary."
Euronews
The prospect of German re-militarization is controversial across Europe, where the specter of the Third Reich still haunts the halls of power. Some EU members would welcome a more serious commitment to defense from the German government and the population. At the same time, there are others, or elements within the former, who would watch any sign of German re-militarization with extreme concern. And this doesn't even touch upon a critical factor – how does the average German citizen feel about this topic?
BBC World News
"It is a bitter irony! Germany finally has a free, liberal society! We need the aid of their military to protect liberty and freedom throughout Europe and the world. Yet, the German people now balk at the idea of wearing the uniform, fighting, or dying for a worthy cause. Oh, why wasn't that the case a hundred years ago? Or eighty years ago?"
James Kaine, an infamous right-wing member of the Tory Party
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Capitol Building
Washington DC
"Dr. Stark, please explain to us why do you believe the SWORD Initiative is necessary. Why is it better than our existing alliances if that is the case? I would also like to hear you elaborate on certain statements you made in front of the United Nations. Our friends in the press have been busy twisting your words one way or another. Please, put that particular dog to rest."
I glanced at my lawyer, and she gave me yet another nod.
"Global reach. For various reasons, our existing alliances are limited in scope. An alien threat doesn't care about our politics, borders, or sovereignty. To safeguard Earth, we need rapid response forces that could act in every corner of the planet and reach it in numbers within a reasonable time frame. Our existing alliances simply were not set up for dealing with the kind of threat environment that an extra-terrestrial invasion presents. As importantly, the SWORD Initiative doesn't have the baggage of any already existing alliance. It is not bound by the same restrictions as, say, NATO. I'll use NATO as another example – its core purpose was a mutual defense against the Soviet Union and their Warsaw Pack puppets. Russia is no longer a conventional threat, and that, combined with the NATO framework and restrictions, makes the alliance less than an ideal tool to face alien aggression. Our alliances in South East Asia had the explicit purpose of countering the Soviet Union again and later containing China. This again makes them flawed tools for the task at hand."
I let people digest my words and carefully opened the cap of a bottle of water, then took a sip.
"SWORD is a framework meant to grow. Ideally, in the coming years and decades, it will incorporate all countries on Earth. The paradigm we have to operate under is, by necessity, global. An alien incursion on the other side of the Earth is not a local problem that is out of sight and out of mind. It is and should be considered as a first step of a global invasion. Any incursion could be a beachhead that, if not neutralized, could threaten every single country and person on this planet. With Disclosure out of the way, we all have to accept we live in a different world. And I hope for all our sake and our children's sake, that we as a species will act accordingly."
"This is going to be a tough thing to accept for many, and I am not only talking like someone who is part of the government as an elected official," Kelly said to the flashing cameras. "There is much history, perhaps too much bad blood to just turn another page. However, you gave us much to think about and discuss, Dr. Stark. Now let us put to rest all those accusations that you are a dictator in the making, shall we?"
"Now I will speak not as Dr. Tony Stark, as scientists, industrialists, or even American citizens. I will speak with someone who has the memories of a general who fought multiple galaxy-wide wars. I will speak as someone who remembers watching whole worlds burn as collateral damage while massive fleets fought above them. All the good intentions in the universe don't matter when someone parks a warship above your world and demands you fulfill their demands or watch your world burn. That could be a pirate ship kept spaceworthy with duct tape and prayers. It could be a state of the war warship from a galactic superpower. It could also be part of the enforcer wing of an interstellar corporation that came to exploit any useful resources it could find in your system. We know for a fact that there are hostile star nations within our galaxy. Only luck and Asgard's distant protection have kept us somewhat safe until now. Yet despite that, Earth has been invaded in the past, forcing Asgard's intervention. Any invasion that happens in the future will take into account not only Earth's strategic location in the galaxy but the fact that we are now a modern civilization. Even with rapid reactions from Asgard, the consequences of such an event can be catastrophic. We are our own first and last line of defense!" I declared.
The way things were going I wondered if people would want to lynch me for telling them hard truths they didn't want to know.
"Reality doesn't care about what I like or dislike; it doesn't consider my political views. Despite what certain good-natured scientists believed, becoming an interstellar civilization doesn't absolve you from petty desires for conquest or racism or somehow makes you morally superior. It only makes you more dangerous, and I am talking from experience here; it is easy to consider a primitive alien species expendable when they stand in the way of what you want and need. In our society, things like colonialism and offensive wars to grab lands and resources are something that today's world order does its best to discourage, and people loathe them. The same can't be said for successful interstellar conquerors for whom colonialism works. I don't need to tell you what happens to the colonized, even if they are fortunate to survive as people, do I? Might doesn't make you right; however, if you possess enough of it, it doesn't matter if you are morally right or not. You can do whatever you wish to those weaker than you, and only sufficient raw power can deter you. We are back to operating under such a paradigm now. And we are racing against the clock to become strong enough and advanced enough before a hostile faction sets its sight upon Earth."