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Back in the control room, Ethan watched the live feed for a few more seconds to ensure there were no sudden energy spikes or remote reactivations.
"All core signatures are dead," Sharon confirmed. "No external control signal detected."
Ethan nodded once. "Good. Keep Megatron on standby until the transport team finishes securing the parts."
He turned toward the exit.
"Let's go," he said calmly. "It's time we speak to Thor."
Coulson raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly are you planning to say?"
Ethan gave a faint smile. "That depends on what he says first."
Sharon followed behind him as they exited the operations floor. A few moments later, they stepped out of the temporary command facility and into the cool desert air. The massive silhouette of Megatron could still be seen in the distance, standing guard as recovery crews worked around the fallen Destroyer.
A sleek black vehicle pulled up automatically as the doors unlocked.
They got in, and the car smoothly accelerated toward the town where Thor and the others were staying.
Inside the vehicle, Sharon glanced at Ethan. "You think he'll react badly?"
Ethan looked out the window at the fading smoke in the distance.
"He just watched a weapon of his homeland get dismantled by Earth technology," he said calmly. "There will be questions."
Coulson looked at him as he said " I am pretty sure he is surprised seeing your tech"
Ethan's expression didn't change. "Exactly."
The car entered the edge of town. Civilians were slowly emerging from safe zones, staring in disbelief at the distant wreckage.
Up ahead, Thor stood with Sif and the Warriors Three, still processing everything that had just happened.
The Arasaka vehicle came to a stop a short distance away.
Ethan stepped out first.
The desert wind brushed lightly against his coat as he approached the group calmly.
Thor's eyes shifted toward him and then at the Arasaka logo on his car and how the Arasaka guards bowed to him as he stepped towards them.
For a moment, the two simply looked at one another.
Then Ethan spoke.
"So," he said evenly, glancing briefly toward the destroyed remains in the distance, "would you like to explain why a giant alien war machine just tried to wipe out a small Earth town?"
"It was after me—not the whole town," Thor replied, meeting Ethan's gaze. "It was my brother Loki's doing."
He looked toward the dismantled Destroyer, his expression was clearly sad and betrayed "He may not have been satisfied with my exile. Perhaps he wants me dead."
"Or," Ethan said calmly, "maybe he believes in you more than you believe in yourself."
Thor frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Ethan folded his arms. "Think about it. Even if you're exiled, Loki knows you. He knows you're not the type to give up. He might believe that, sooner or later, you'll regain your power."
Thor's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Isn't that the reason Odin sent your hammer here in the first place?" Ethan continued. "So you would understand where you went wrong… and earn your power back?"
Thor looked at him in silence.
" Why were you even exiled in the first place?" Ethan asked looking at him.
"I was exiled because of reckless ambition," Thor said. "Because I was ready to wage war without thinking of the consequences."
He lowered his head slightly.
"You are right," he admitted. "I need to understand where I went wrong"
He clenched his fist slowly—not in anger this time, but in resolve.
"I was not worthy."
"I did not think of my people," he continued quietly. "I was drunk on my power. I nearly risked my comrades' lives." He looked toward Sif and the Warriors Three. "For that… I carry shame."
He drew a slow breath.
"And now Loki sits upon the throne, sending weapons of mass destruction to Midgard. It is all my fault."
His head dropped.
Ethan listened calmly, then gave a small nod. "Hmm. Then just fix it."
Thor looked up, frustration flashing in his eyes. "I… I am powerless now."
Ethan tilted his head slightly. "The last time I checked, you were the God of Thunder… not the God of Hammers."
Thor froze.
The wind shifted between them.
Ethan continued evenly, "If your strength came only from a weapon, then you were never truly powerful to begin with. Maybe the hammer was never the source."
Thor's breathing slowed.
"You think I still have strength?" he asked quietly.
Ethan gave a faint shrug. "I think power and worth aren't the same thing. Maybe your father wanted you to learn that."
"Of course, it won't be that fast," Ethan added dryly. "I'm not saying you just get your power back instantly. This isn't some goddamn mov—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
The air shifted.
A sharp crack split the sky.
Storm clouds swirled violently overhead, forming out of nowhere. Lightning struck down in a blinding column—engulfing Thor completely.
Wind exploded outward in a powerful shockwave, forcing everyone to step back.
Ethan squinted against the light. "Hmm… did I just plant a protagonist flag?"
Everyone silently backed away from Thor.
Within the raging storm, Thor's silhouette straightened. Electricity coursed across his body—not burning him, but wrapping around him like a living force. His eyes snapped open, glowing with brilliant white light.
He slowly raised his hand.
Far in the distance—
Something answered.
A sonic boom tore through the air as a streak of spinning metal rocketed across the desert, ripping through sand and stone on its path.
It was his hammer.
Mjolnir.
The weapon tore through the sky and slammed into Thor's outstretched hand with a thunderous crack—lightning exploding outward at the moment of contact.
The storm roared as armor slowly began forming over his body. Metal plates layered over his frame, locking into place with divine precision. A long red cloak unfurled behind him, snapping violently in the wind.
Lightning erupted around him, bathing him in brilliant light.
Now, the true dignity of the God of Thunder was revealed.
"Thank you," Thor said, looking at Ethan. "Because of you, I regained my power. I understand now… I am not a king because people obey me. I am a king because I have a duty to protect them."
Ethan blinked.
I'm pretty sure I never said anything about king stuff… but sure, we'll go with that, he thought.
Outwardly, he simply nodded.