The Mighty

All of this went right over his head — not quite sure what this guy was talking about. Winged horses? He didn’t think such a creature existed, but he was essentially THE LIVING DEAD so anything was possible. He just nods as he tries to pretend that he follows along with the information being presented to him. His own reality was a much different place than this one, but at least GOTHAM was here. “Everyone has their preferred transportation, winged horses or otherwise. I do care for my motorcycle a lot. We’ve been through a lot together her and me.” Something about building her up over the years makes it special to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Thor. My full name is Jason Todd — street rat of gotham.”

“I can understand that. The longer you look after an item and use it, the more precious it can become. I hope you never lose her.” He could feel the energy of Stormbreaker at his back.  The vocabulary gave him pause, but he wasn’t about to disrespect the man in front of his own motorcycle. “Well met, Street Rat Jason.

“Do you know this place well? I’ve been trying to understand it since it appeared here, but I’m not sure I’m getting very far with it. It is a bit gloomy.”

the last face loki had expected to see was thor. he shouldn’t have been surprised, really, but still a look of shock came across his face. and then before he knew it, thor was hugging him. his body remained stiff for a few seconds before he hugged his brother back, sighing. he may or may not admit it, but he had missed this. he had missed his brother dearly. “no,” he replied, shaking his head. “i died. i really died. if i had faked it, i would still look as i did before, brother,” loki replied, pulling back so he could get a better look at his brother. 

“before we fled asgard, before i released surtur, i found the book of hel. i was curious, to say the least. so i opened it, and i found my name. so… i erased it.” his gaze dropped to the ground, pausing for a moment. “so yes, while i did die, it wasn’t permanent. erasing my name ensured that i would not go to hel, but that i would return. reborn.” he was almost afraid to admit that he had been around for some time now. “i’m sorry i didn’t find you sooner, brother.” he paused for a moment, pulling thor into another hug. “and i missed you.”

He had been dead and that fact did little to help the storm of emotions swirling in Thor’s chest. “You... you erased it. You, from the book of Hel.” An unthinkable act. All names were in the book, all beings came to an end. Still, the results stood before him and Thor could not bring himself to care.

And there it was. Again he had been mourning a living man. It hurt, but the pain was no longer deep and aching. It was instead a sting, like knowing he’d lost a game or not knowing he was the punchline of a joke. Still, it had never come like this. An apology, from Loki. “I missed you too.”

This time, he pulled back and looked his brother over properly this time. “We have a new home. A new Asgard, if there could be such a thing. You’re always welcome, you always would have been and will be.” He sighed and dragged his hand down his face to rest over his mouth as a smile grew. “You would hate it,” he laughed. “Not for the reasons you did before, but there are so many goats. And you’re not in line for the throne anymore. Neither am I. I gave the kingship to Valkyrie and she has flourished.”

He gives the Asgardian a nudge of the elbow to choice words, “I’m a seasoned professional, I don’t mind sharing the glory.” The world felt so … Topsy - Turvy. It seemingly crumbled underneath their feet more times than the archer had scars on his hands ( hint: it was a lot ). But it’s out of the left-field, the weird calm and weight ( that wasn’t a jab, calm down ) the literal GOD besides him brought. It was w e l c o m e d. A comfort the archer almost forgot, even if it wasn’t all that surprising either. “Careful, I think Mantis might ‘feel’ that comment and come get ya.” The thought releases a much-needed chuckle from Clint/

Ah, now that was the question, huh? Some days, Clint was capable of sniping bad dudes off rooftops while running for his life without  t r i p p i n g  up once. Other days, pouring piping hot coffee down his shirt seemed like heaven, “I saw Natasha, recently. So, naturally, I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

Thor couldn’t help but shiver at the idea of Mantis knowing his thoughts and nudged his friend at the teasing joke.  Of the Avengers, Thor had taken a quick shining to Clint. They spoke as equals and should Thor slip and become too grandiose, Clint was quick to take him to task. No condescending names, no reciting of rules, just an understanding between two men who had faced war. So, when Clint admitted to seeing this new Natasha, Thor started to understand the look in his friend’s eyes.

“I see.” He could sympathise, but would never truly be able to comprehend. Every time he was faced with a loved one from beyond the grave it was still them. His mother, Loki, it was still them. But to be faced with a changeling, an imposter with their face and none of who they truly were. “We can speak of it. If you wish. Now or at another time and place. To see the dead alive again, it is… beyond expression. So, we can talk or we can drink. It’s easier to get Asgardian Ale in Midgard now that we live here.”

Stephen glanced up. And up again. 

“Thor,” he said, before breaking into a smile. “It’s good to see you. It’s been a while–” he nearly stumbled under the impact of Thor’s hand. “I wasn’t aware that you’d returned to Earth - are you done with adventuring with the Guardians of the Galaxy? I can’t say that they’re the best at planning, but they are handy in a fight.”

If a little bad at following orders.

He spared a glance around before turning back to face the other. “So… I’m guessing that you’re here to check out the new city as well. What do you make of this?”

“I doubt I’ll never be done exploring, but yes, I left the Guardians. The Avengers reached out to me, told me of the things that were happening.  New cities! How could I stay away?”

In truth, it worried him deeply, but these concerns were not the type to be expressed openly on the street. Instead, he shrugged. “It is still very new.  I cannot say that this is my first exploration of a city that was previously unknown, but those are often dead places while this place is very much alive.  Perhaps you can enlighten me on what you have learned. Magic was never my focus.”

wanda was quite small when compared to the norse god before her. when she looked up, she continued to do so until her gaze reflected itself back onto her from the glint of his powerful axe. parting her lips, she began to speak only to stop and turn her attention back onto him with a bit of confusion. snapping her attention back to the axe that was now onto the floor, she tilted her head and smirked before looking back up at him.

      “some people in my home country used to worship you, ages ago. it is always nice to meet a legend.” she offered, carefully before giving him a nod. “it would be an honour to dine with you, thor.” she’d had donuts before within the american standards, and they were good - but she certainly did wonder what would be classified as ‘good’ for thor. stepping back, she gestured with her hand, “please, lead the way for us.”

“Yes, our Father felt it would be enlightening to spend those days learning of the realms and their people.” He’d been… not at his best during his time on Midgard.  He’d played up his godhood and flaunted his powers. It had been captivating, being worshipped. Funny, that he should regain some sense of humbleness in the same realm. “I think the honor shall be mine. I was unable to see you fight during the battles, but I’ve heard many tales.”

Thor left Stormbreaker on the floor and instead offered her his arm. “This way,” he said with cheer.  It really was around the corner, a quick walk and then a happy greeting with the owner of the shop as they were shuffled off to a side room. “My cheer can be a bit loud for the other patrons and there won’t be as much staring,” he explained as he took a seat.  “I’m hungry for lunch, but we can start with the doughnuts if you prefer?”

      ‘get out more, master wayne - find yourself some friends, perhaps even some your own age for a change’ - those were the words of alfred’s that kept swimming around inside of bruce’s head and that was exactly the reason why he was seated in a corner of a bar. he sipped at his drink, a light beer as he didn’t like the taste and alcohol was never his thing, but he had to appear socially…. normal. his eyes scanned the crowded bar before he paused on a particularly large man.

      finding him intriguing, bruce continued to watch him until the curiosity outweighed the need to stay hidden, he sat up from his seat abandoning his drink and moved his way through the crowd to the blond man at the bar.

      furrowing his brows at the confusion of marshmallows being placed within a beer, bruce looked over to the bartender and raised a hand up to silently say ‘thanks but no thanks’. “actually, i came to meet you - out of everyone in this bar, you seem the most intriguing.” he smiled a bit before turning to tender, “his tab is on me,” turning back to the man and offering his hand, “bruce.”

The most intriguing, Thor couldn’t help a half grin.  People came to meet him all the time, asking for photos or questions about the other Avengers. It was often a quick moment spent with a quick smile, but this seemed different.  He turned to face the man fully.

“Thank you. Not many are brave enough to take on the risk of such a debt. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you to wash dishes by yourself if it gets that bad.” He chuckled and took the offered hand. “Thor Odinson. And I tease, I wouldn’t be so inconsiderate. In fact, these should be my chips and artichoke dip, now. My realm never had artichokes and even getting them in Tønsberg is a bit of a hassle.” He nodded to the server and pushed the plate between them.  “Give me a hand with these and tell me your story Bruce.  What brings you to New York?”

          𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 about the stranger that reminded raven a whole lot of azarath —— even though she knew he wasn’t from her beloved home dimension. watching him closely for a moment, purple eyes focused on his weapon before she closed her eyes and sighed s l i g h t l y. “ it’s fine, ” she breathed out. honestly, she should have known better than to try and meditate in a park where people frequented —— maybe she should have remained at the titans tower. the tower was safe for raven, in the tower she wasn’t constantly being bombarded by passerbys emotions, in the tower she wasn’t constantly sensing such strong grief all along her —— which led her to her next question, what the hell had happened in this city before the dimensions had converged ? “ no i don’t, i’m sorry. should i know who you are ? ” she asked, moving her onyx hair so that it was hanging behind her shoulders. “ alternate realms… that’s a bit of an understatement. ” the titan laughed softly. “ no i… i live back in —— no i don’t live here. i was just meditating, trying to get the voices to shut up, you know ? ”

“No, I suppose not,” he chuckled. Millions of new people from a realm, a universe that never received his protection. He wondered if there was another Thor, one who walked Midgard when it’s people were still wandering through the cold and left to never return. “I am Thor Odinson, protector of the nine realms. May I have your name?”

Thor couldn’t help but laugh.  “I know quite a bit about meditating. My teachers thought it would make me less… brash. I was never one for the ones that involved sitting and incantations. That was my brother’s forte. I prefered the ones that involved swinging a stick or any type of moving.”  He gestured to a small hot dog cart.  “If I am bothering your studies, I will leave you be, but I have it on good authority that these little carts sell delicious foods that are not the meat of dogs no matter what the name of the item.”

“   WITH  ALL  DUE  RESPECT  MR.  THOR   sir,  as  much  as  i’d  like  to  try  some  of  that  super  cool  lucky  charm  drink,  it’s…    illegal,    ”   his  expression  turns  apologetic,  while  holding  up  his  iced  soda  the  bartender  had  given  him.   after  a  long  day  of  being  new  york’s   friendly  neighborhood  spider-man,   the  bar  was  the  only  place  that  offered  relaxation  late  in  the  evening.   granted,  peter  was  a  minor,  but   aunt  may  had   somehow   convinced  the  owner  to  keep  him  around.   taking  a  sip  of  his  soda,  he  briefly  flips  his  textbook  to  the  next  page  before  placing  his  focus  back  on  thor.    it  was   weird,   seeing  him  in  real  life.   he  learned  about  him  in  his  classes,  and  seeing  him  in  the  flesh  gives  it  a   whole  new  meaning.    peter  couldn’t  bring  himself  to  come  up  to  him  during  the  funeral  either,  due  to  the  circumstances.   but  the  way  the  god  had  called  him   his  friend   made  his  eyes  beam.   “   i’m  peter  parker,  by  the  way.   really  big  fan  of  yours !   you’re  probably  one  of  the  coolest  avengers  out  there.   can  i  um,  get  an  autograph  or  maybe  a  picture ?   only  if  you’re  totally  cool  with  it  though.   ”

“Illegal?” he scoffed. “You Midgardians and your rules. Children can not have beer, but adults can poison water supplies in the name of industrial growth.” He drew another sip from his beer.  He caught the apologetic look from the Avenger and regretted his harsh words.  “You should be able to at least have the marsh melon treats. Let me get you some instead.” He motioned to the barkeep and placed the order for his friend.

Peter’s response was puzzling. True, this was the first time that they had talked to each other off duty. There had been little time to socialize after the Battle and it felt inappropriate to chat after the funeral.  Once he realized what was happening, that Peter didn’t know that Thor knew he was Spider-Man, he had to fight back a smile.

“I’m the coolest Avenger? Thank you, Peter. It is a pleasure to meet such a smart man as yourself.  I would be honored to sign your book.” He reached out and took the pen from Peter’s hand so scrawl his name in the traditional rune language of Asgard across a page of the book.  “Come now, young Peter.  Let’s take that picture!”

Jean had to admit, seeing a man come inside her buiding with an axe made her pull her phone out and bring Dick’s number up, texting him the moment it was out. Because if this was some Gotham villain she didn’t know about- well, she’d need Nightwing. But it only took a few moments for her to realize he was not even from here. And definitely not a villain.

She just watched as he leaned the axe against the wall, nodding as he spoke to her, replying to Dick’s mass of question marks that this was a false alarm, she was fine. No emergency.

Thankfully, her elevator arrived and she practically ran inside- only for him to follow. Oooookay? Weird that they were going to the same foor. But she rolled with it, bringing up that Candy Crush game she’d gotten addicted to instead to kill time in the elevator.

“Oh,” she managed, cracking a smile, “this one is just my portable computer,” she admitted, “my actual- calling phone’s still in my purse.” One day she would figure out calling on this thing. “My friend bought it for me because apparently the world runs on aps now.” 

He seemed nice. And sweet. So maybe he just wasn’t from this earth.  “Are you a new Doctor or a patient, Mister…..?” she trailed off,

“To send emails on!” His voice boomed in the small space and he grimaced.  “I prefer the little games as well, but it is easier to play Fortnite on a console than on the phone. I’ve had a few, but I always lose them or they break. After a while everyone stopped bothering. It’s really much easier to send a messenger bird or use teleportation magic.”

“Thor Odinson, Champion of Asgard and Avenger of Midgard,” he said with a slight bow.  Right, why was he here? “Today, I am a messenger. I am a bit of a celebrity with the Midgardians, so it is easier for me to gain an audience with busy people.  It’s not quite the role I’m used to, but it’s better to be useful and active than stubborn and lazy. I will admit though, it is strange traveling through these new cities and not being recognized. I am not accustomed to being feared by the innocent.”

It was perhaps too much information to be sharing with a stranger in an elevator, but it bothered him just how much his very presence and appearance had intimidated her and the man on the first floor. In battle, it would have brought him some personal pride. Here it lay heavy in his stomach.

The elevator reached their floor and the doors slid open. Thor waited for her to depart first, before falling in behind her.  “You wouldn’t happen to know Doctor Elliot? Or perhaps a Doctor Dayspring? I believe one of them is on this floor…” he frowned at the piece of paper in his hand and looked to her with a small pleading smile.

His head tilts as he looks over the man in front of him. Jason has met Gods before, so that doesn’t leave him feeling intimidated by this conversation in any way. “I find riding a motorcycle to be more convenient than a car.” He spent enough time in one growing up with his adoptive father, not that he was about to tell this stranger details about his childhood. “I can’t fly, big guy. This is my only option.” “I built her myself, with my own hands, and some spare parts. She’s really beautiful.” He takes a glance at his vehicle before turning back to the stranger. Should he introduce himself? It makes sense right? “I’m Jason.”

“Yes, these cycles do seem to be able to ride out of planes better than the cars and vans. Don’t worry, even most of my own people cannot fly.  We prefer winged beasts, my king has the finest winged horse. A faithful companion from her time with the Valkyries.”

Thor considered this device.  He’d always found it difficult to appreciate Midgardian technology, it seemed rather crude, but it would have been a great affront to say such things.  “It is a wonderful color and well cared for. It’s obvious you care for her.” An introduction! This was more familiar ground. He held out his hand. “Well met, Jason. I am Thor Odinson, Champion of Asgard.”

❪ ´ ･ .  ✶ — thor! ❫

diana had never been much of a drinker, but even when she did, it wasn’t like it had much of an effect on her. still, she didn’t mind the taste of most alcohols, and she was well past the age limit people always spoke of. walking into the bar and taking a seat next to another, she was about to order a beer when the man next to her suggested she try something new on the menu. “like the cereal?” she asked, raising a brow. “alright, you have sold me. i will try it,” she said, giving a nod to the bartender. “you are thor, correct? of the avengers.” she added with a smile as she held her hand out to him to shake. “forgive me if that is too forward. i tried to familiarize myself with… all there was to know about this reality when i arrived. i am diana of themyscira. with the justice league. similar concept, i believe, to your avengers.”

“Wise choice!” he laughed finished his own beer.  Over the last few years, Thor had worked to become a better being, that included letting go of his narcissism and deflating his ego. It was very much still a work in progress, so he could help but grin and puff up at being recognized. “Yes,” he straightened up in his seat. “I am Thor, son of Odin and a founding member of the Avengers.” He took her hand and shook it, careful to not be too hard on her human hands.

“Ah! You are from one of the cities foreign to our entire reality. What a noble name, ‘Justice League.’ I understand that there are foes as notorious in your reality as in ours. Well met, Diana. You must tell me more of your League and your home. I’ve heard of Metropolis and Gotham, but not Themyscira.”