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The Thunderer

Asgard, earlier…

Far beyond in the cosmos of the known universe stood the enchanted kingdom of Asgard, home of the Asgardians. The shining jewel of a city surrounding by near endless landscapes of mountains, forests and all manner of terrain that brought out the adventurer in any who looked upon it. The only way to this magical land was through a mystic rainbow bridge known as the Bifrost, guarded by one of Asgard’s mightiest warriors the all-seeing Heimdall.

As the great sentinel kept an ever watchful eye on the universe beyond Asgard’s borders a portal soon opened on the end of the rainbow bridge. The thunderous rumble that came with it signified it was the arrival of Thor, Prince of Asgard. Sure enough the mighty thunder god flew through and landed in front of Heimdall.

“My prince.” Heimdall bowed his head. “I see you have returned. And empty handed it seems.”

With a gruff expression Thor admitted “My travels to Svartalfheim have proven fruitless I’m afraid. It seems not even the dark elves know of Loki’s whereabouts. Or even how he escaped his imprisonment from the Isle of Silence. I fear whatever powers have aided my brother this time are like none known in all the nine realms.” Thor suddenly noticed a grim look to Heimdall’s face, prompting him to ask “What troubles you, Heimdall?”

“I’m afraid the news is grimmer than Loki’s actions, Thor. Your father wishes to speak with you. At once.”

Heimdall’s tone alerted Thor to whatever it was his father, Odin, had to speak with him about was something terrible. Any news that boded ill for Odin boded ill for all of Asgard.

Thor wasted no time after that, twirling his hammer and flinging himself into the air to fly high above the kingdom of Asgard to reach the royal palace all the faster. As he did he looked down to the people of Asgard itself, from the humble citizens and patrolling guardsmen to the innocent children at play. His care for them was matched by his care for the mortals of Earth, friends and commoner alike. He would lay his life down to defend them if that was the cost and whatever grave challenge his father had for him he would face it with the same vigor.

Upon landing right at the palace doors the guardsmen saluted as Thor passed them and entered. Once he had reached Odin’s main hall he could see his father, the one-eyed king of all Asgard, sitting on his throne surrounded by a company of familiar faces to Thor. His mother, Queen Frigga, sat by Odin’s side. His friends Fandral, Hogun and Volstagg, the Warriors Three, along with Thor’s half-brother Balder the Brave and Lady Sif, Thor’s love and the commander of the royal guard, were all present as well. Upon Thor’s entrance some bowed while others had mixed looks of relief and anxiety at his arrival.

As Thor passed them he nodded to his friends before reaching his father’s throne, falling to one knee and acknowledging “Father. You summoned me?”

Odin’s one good eye looked upon his son as he answered “I’ve been told of your exploits in searching the Nine Realms for Loki, my son. And yet your trials have proven fruitless.”

Thor looked up at Odin and replied “I will not stop hunting for him, father! I will travel beyond the known universe if it means ensuring Loki’s trickery does not bring harm to any.”

“I’m afraid the situation is far more dire than just Loki’s escape, Thor.” Odin replied. After that he turned to his right and gestured “Volla, come forth.”

Thor and all the other Asgardian warriors looked as the one called Volla made her way into view. From the darker corner of the hall the old haggish woman, skin wrinkled and withered, hair white and grey with age and her person covered in a dark hood and robe, made herself further known to all.

The name was familiar enough to Thor but he had never seen Volla in person. She was the last of the Norns, the great prophetesses who foresaw all possible futures both good and bad. Their predictions often came at a price, one of which being Odin’s very eye. To know that she was the last seemed both a greater burden than relief to any who sought her out.

Thor stood once Volla had reached the group, bowing to Odin “You summoned, my king?”

Even Odin’s twin crows that sat upon his throne cawed with anxiety as the king ordered “Tell my son, Prince Thor, of the vision that beset you early this day. The very one you proclaimed to me.”

Another bow as she answered “It shall be done, my liege.” Turning to Thor she raised her hands and proclaimed “Heeds these words all who stand before me! The freedom of mischief shall lead to the end of all! Now darkness shall wake to bring down the kingdoms of man and god alike! A war shall come to rip the very heavens apart! As thunder shall battle with clay and bring about the end of all to come!”

As Volla had spoken the ground before her seemed to burn in an odd shape. Everyone watched as her words seemed to make the flame glow hotter and brighter until it marked the very stone floor he stood upon. When she finished the symbol finally stopped burning, revealing it to be an unfamiliar shape. Two Ws over the other in an almost Grecian lettering.

Looking at it for himself Thor said aloud “I don’t recognize the symbol. Is it even Asgardian?”

“Not that we’ve been able to determine.” Sif answered. “The oldest and wisest scholars of the entire kingdom could not reveal its meaning.”

Hogun however continued with “But if Volla’s prediction will come true then we must be ready to fight. We have prepared all defenses for Asgard should an attack come.”

“Not that Loki would be to bold.” Fandral commented. “That snake will likely try to strike us when we least expect!”

“Either way will be ready to give that villain a taste of our blades and send him back to the Isle of Silence where he belongs!” Volstagg boasted in a jollier manner.

“Silence yourselves!” Odin bellowed, quieting all in the room. “Thor, your fruitless efforts may prove to be the end of us all. You must return to your duties and find Loki by any means.”

Thor nodded before asking “But where else could he be? If not in the Nine Realms then where would he seek sanctuary?”

“Even I cannot foresee that, my son.” He replied. “That task, and the fate of Asgard, falls to you and you alone. Now go.”

Neither Thor nor any of the others Asgardians said another word. As Thor exited the others soon followed, leaving Odin, Frigga and Volla alone in the throne room to dwell on this darkening news. Something about all of this brought a cold, uneasy feeling to the king of Asgard. And it all came from the moment he saw that odd symbol.

Outside the palace Thor received well wishes from the Warriors Three before they all departed to make Asgard safe in case of any attacks. He Prince of Asgard was left alone with Sif as he looked outward beyond Asgard to the Bifrost.

“I sense that more than just Odin’s orders or the words of an old seer trouble you, Thor.” She commented.

He sighed and admitted “It seems as though every day grows a little darker, my love.” He paused before continuing “On Midgard, during my absence, a good friend of mine, Steve Rogers, perished. He died being a hero as he always was. But…I can’t help but feel as if I should have been there. Had I been able to stop it. Perhaps…”

She reached over, grabbing his cheek to face her, and insisted “Your duties were to Asgard first, Thor. As they always have been.”

“But this is more than Asgard.” He replied. “If Volla’s words are true then all the Nine Realms, perhaps all of existence is at risk.” His grip on the hilt of his hammer, Mjolnir, tightened. “I must find Loki as soon as possible before he brings whatever chaos aids him this time!”

Sif seemed a little upset by his insistence before saying “Very well. But take this…” she kissed him on the lips, the two’s passionate moment lasting so fast and yet so needed. “…for luck.”

Thor gave a light smile and nodded before she left, the prince considering his next move. He needed some way of finding where Loki could have gone. If not Midgard, to the Frost Giants or any of his other former allies then where?

“My prince!” a voice suddenly called from above.

As he turned to look Thor could see Brunnhilde, leader of the Valkyries, astride her winged steed, descending to meet him. He skills as a warrior were matched by her control over the flying horse as she landed him neatly in front of Thor; he barley needing to move out of the way to grant her room.

She dismounted, saluted, before reporting “My scouts have returned from the Isle of Silence. And they found this!”

In her hand she showed Thor a sword of unfamiliar design. The metal that crafted the blade and the bronze of the hilt were different, almost older, than anything he had seen. Nothing from Earth or any known planet or species he knew could have made it.

After contemplating all this he asked “Who could have made a weapon like that?”

“I know of only one.” Valkyrie replied. “The Amazons!” When Thor questioned who they were she explained “A race from the time of old gods. Warriors and witches bred to serve the Olympians.”

“But the Olympians are gone.” Thor pointed out. “They died out long ago from this world. Olympus itself vanished from existence. My father speaks of it as if it were almost a time before time. Only Hercules, the Avenger, is any living proof that they existed.”

“Gone from this world perhaps, but not in others.”

Thor seemed taken back before asking “You’re saying that these Amazons, these servants of Olympians, came from another reality?”

“We consulted with some of the magi of Asgard to prove this for ourselves.” Valkyrie explained. “The material and make of this weapon are unlike any from Midgard’s history. Besides where else could they have come from if not another parallel Earth?”

This revelation darkened Thor’s tone. “That would explain why there seems to be no trace of my brother anywhere. But how? How did Loki find such allies? Or more to the point why would they aid him?”

“That I do not know, my lord. But with Heimdall’s help we might be able to find where they’ve gone.”

Taking the sword for himself he replied “I will go.” She began to protest before he insisted “Rally the rest of the Valkyries and keep Asgard safe. If Loki makes his next move against us I want our people to be safe. I will go and speak to these Amazons myself.”

He readied to leave before Valkyrie warned “Be wary, my lord. The Amazons are ruthless, cunning deceitful warriors. They’re all women but they act more like witches. They will fight you, yes. But they may also try to hinder you. Let your guard down for even a moment and they will take that advantage to end you.”

He nodded before asking “Any suggestions then?”

Her only reply: “Don’t.”

That was all Thor needed. He spun his hammer before flying off into the air towards the edge of the Bifrost and Heimdall. Through the sentinel’s all-seeing, divine powers he would determine in what reality the Amazonian sword originated from. From there Thor would make his way to the home of these “warrior witches” and have the answers he sought.

As the Thunderer flew away however a cruel smile came over the Valkyrie’s face. She began to slip away into the shadows, her so-called winged stallion evaporating into smoke. In the cover of darkness the guise of Brunnhilde peeled away to reveal the true face of Amora, the Enchantress.

Themyscira, now…

After the initial attack by this “Thor” Wonder Woman rose to her feet as he summoned a storm; proving his title as “God of Thunder” to be truer than she realized. As his hammer continued to spin the clouds grew more and more violent and the wind and rain followed with it.

Finally with enough charge Thor hurled a bolt of lightning from the sky, connecting to his hammer, and right for Wonder Woman. Instead of bracing herself the Amazonian leapt into the air before she could be struck, flying up as fast as she could before reaching Thor. A hard punch to the face knocked him senseless for the moment before a few more hits eventually sent him hurtling to the ground with a large crash.

She landed near him and demanded “Yield! Now!”

“Never!” was his only reply before striking at her with his hammer.

Wonder Woman ducked and dodged while trying to land a few punches here-and-there. It seemed for such a large warrior he was more agile and durable than she anticipated. Having grappled with so many a foe Diana admitted to herself her presumptuous thoughts being a fault. She would need to think of a more tactful battle plan.

Coming up with her first plan of attack Wonder Woman managed to trap Thor’s arm holding the hammer before disarming him of it. Without his weapon she hoped he would prove easier to deal with. She was wrong.

Even without a weapon Thor still had strength to match the Amazon. The two fought hand-to-hand with each managing a blow on the other while ducking, dodging or locking fists and hands with each other. Truly these two were proven warriors in their own rights.

Wonder Woman eventually gained an upper hand and tossed Thor aside. She looked and saw where his hammer had fallen, trying to go for it and use his own weapon against him. Before she could reach it however the thunder god summoned it back to his hand as he got to his feet.

“Trying to use the might of Mjolnir against me, witch?” he growled. “Truly you Amazons are as deceitful as they say!”

“Who’s ‘they’?” Wonder Woman asked as she drew her Lasso of Truth as her one main weapon. “Have you allied yourself with enemies of Themyscira?”

“If Themyscira stands as allies to Loki then all of Asgard is an enemy to your kind!”

“Asgard?” she questioned “Loki?”

“Do not act coy or stupid, witch!” Thor threatened as he readied to strike with his hammer. “I will have none of it!”

Before any move could be made by either of them an arrow that was shot from a distance landed right between Thor and Wonder Woman. They looked to where it had been fired to discover Queen Hippolyta holding the bow. She was accompanied by a large force of Amazons all riding into the battle on horseback, weapons draw and arrows trained on the Thunderer.

After the small Amazon army had circled Thor Queen Hippolyta ordered “Surrender, intruder! You invade the sanctuary of Themyscira and attack my own daughter. Either stand down and be shown leniency or face the wrath of the Amazons!”

Instead of looking to lay down his arms Thor instead seemed angered before saying “Foul witches! No wonder Loki was able to gain your favor. But I will not be so easily swayed!”

He raised Mjolnir into the air and summoned a bolt of lightning that struck him and caused a blinding flash. All the Amazons were unable to see as Thor lifted himself into the air above them. By the time all their eyesight returned he was twirling his hammer and summoning as much thunder from the accumulating storm as he could.

“I will have the answers I seek, Amazons!” he roared above the clash of thunder and lightning. “I give you my chance to surrender! If you do not I will bring this entire island to its knees!”

Wonder Woman’s eyes widened with fear before she claimed “No!”

As she flew up to stop him Hippolyta ordered “Archers!” with all Amazons obeying and readying to fire.

In that moment everything seemed to slow for Wonder Woman. Knowing her mother and her fellow warriors they would not withdraw no matter what threats Thor would make. And given the resolve she could sense from this “thunder god” the same could be said of him.

With her lasso out and lashing towards him Wonder Woman had but a split second to trap Thor and stop him before he destroyed her family and home. She was close now. So close. So soon to the deciding moment for-

A bolt struck but it did not come from Thor. In fact it actually attacked him. The Asgardian cried out in pain before the lightning he had summoned seemed to disobey him and draw back into the sky. The shockwave had halted Wonder Woman mid-air and forced the Amazons to hold as all beheld a near unbelievable sight.

The storm clouds parted as the thunder and lightning withdrew back into them. From the sudden crack of light that began to clear the storm came a godly figure. A great white beard of a male face, eyes old and powerful and a body draped in robes befitting beyond the highest royalty. The Amazons knew who this was and all halted their actions to bow to him.

“Zeus…” Hippolyta whispered.

Wonder Woman however let out a louder “Father!”

Zeus eyes were locked on Thor as he bellowed “Interloper! You stand accused of crimes against the sanctuary of Themyscira! Hostile transgressions against my own blood! And claiming the blasphemous crime of titling yourself ‘God of Thunder’! Your judgement will not come by the hands of the Amazons but by the sentencing of Olympus itself!”

Despite the imposing figure in the sky proving to hold more power over the thunder and storm than him Thor would not yield. He charged with his hammer in hand only to be struck against by Zeus’ power. This time however after the apparent attack Thor did not drop from the sky but instead vanished. There was no sign of the Asgardian, not even his hammer.

As Zeus began to disappear Diana called “Wait! Father! Wait!”

He did not seem to listen as eventually he vanished. The storm brought about by Thor soon dissipated, the sunlight brought back by Zeus bringing light back to Themyscira. Wonder Woman landed to the ground as she and the other Amazonians looked up at the heavens.

Without hesitation she turned, making her way past her mother and sisters, and stated “I have to go.”

Hippolyta was quick to say “Diana! Stop!” She rode her horse into her daughter’s path and said “The treat is over, Diana. Let the gods handle the intruder.”

“You didn’t hear his claims, mother!” Diana insisted. “He said he was Thor. Of Asgard!” This seemed to shock her mother as she continued “And he said he was looking for Loki. If he is who he claims he is then perhaps he means the Asgardian god of mischief.”

“But the Asgardians are dead. All of them.” Hippolyta tried to reason. “They died with the rest of the Old Gods. Only the Olympians are left. He must have been lying or deluded, Diana. He could have been one of these ‘metahumans’ from Man’s World.”

“A mere metahuman wouldn’t call forth the wrath of Zeus himself. I must go to Olympus and find out for myself what’s going on.”

“Diana wait!” Hippolyta finally dropping from her horse to speak with her face-to-face. “Remember the Oracle’s warning. She spoke of dark days and the thunder coming. And look what just happened! You would be wrong to face going against Zeus’ judgment.”

“And I would be more wrong to stay and do nothing, mother. You know that.” As she saw the look on her mother’s face she assured her “Whatever happens I will make sure we’re all safe.”

The queen nodded before gesturing “Go then. And come back safely. Please.”

As Diana began to return to the Amazonia city on Themyscira she stopped and said “Mother. There is one thing I might need from you.”

Later…

After gathering what she needed Diana made her way to the highest peak on Themyscira. She was now dressed in a more battle-armored version of her more familiar outfit, equipped with a shield with her iconic overlapping Ws sigil. Along with her Lasso of Truth she now had a second weapon, the deadliest blade forged by the Olympians: the God Killer. Fearing the battle to come she knew she would need all the help she could get.

After climbing her way to the topmost peak on the island Diana took a moment to admire the view. Seeing her home and the beautiful clear oceans that surrounded it. Every time she looked upon a sight like this she was reminded of why Theymiscra was often nicknamed “Paradise Island”.

A loud whistle came from Diana’s lips, one that seemed to echo all throughout Themyscira and beyond to parts unknown. She waited a moment before her call was answered, a figure flying down from the clouds above. A great black furred, winged steed with piercing red eyes flew down from the heavens towards her. It seemed to run on air as its mighty wings flapped with every gallop it gave. When the beast landed it grunted and whinnied before Diana reached out to pet its mane, calming it as if seeing a friendly face.

“Pegasus. My old friend.” She smiled as she soothed the winged stallion. After he accepted her Diana mounted the great horse and called “Take me to Olympus with all haste!”

That was all Pegasus needed as it took off from the mountain top. Both he and Diana rode up and off into the clouds, soon on their way to the realm beyond mortals. All the way to the very top of Mt. Olympus itself.

Below, hiding in the shadows, the ancient witch Circe had watched Diana fly off on the Pegasus to Olympus. She had been watching everything that transpired on the island in secret, even the arrival of Thor and the interlude by Zeus himself. Even as her greatest enemy flew off she sorceress smiled as she slipped away, vanishing from the island.

Using her magic Circe arrived in a dark, secret and hidden place. She was met by none other than the Enchantress of Asgard, along with her master/partner, the God of Mischief Loki.

“It’s just as you said.” Circe spoke to Loki. “Your brother’s been taken to Asgard and the princess is on her way there as we speak.”

A grin cracked on Loki’s face as he replied “Perfect. Everything’s going exactly as planned.”

“Indeed.” Another voice added as the one attached to it walked into view. “No finer strategy could be devised.”

For Loki and Circe they had met this one before but for the Enchantress it was the first time meeting them. He stood taller than all of them, at least 7 feet. He wore armor that was both regel yet dark in its design. With his great horned helmet on his eyes were red like fire from the pits. Upon taking it off it revealed a handsome but distinguished face on an immortal like herself and the others.

This was Ares, the God of War. And if his plans with Loki were to come to fruition then soon neither Asgard, Olympus nor either worlds of men would be left standing after this.