Chapter 52: Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis Meet

Grant stood guard, keeping an eye on everything around the lab. The day was relatively quiet until a car pulled up near the entrance to the building. Jane Foster, the brilliant astrophysicist, and Darcy Lewis, her assistant, got out of the vehicle, clearly anxious. Jane had the uneasiness of someone who knew something big was happening, while Darcy, always irreverent, seemed less worried.

"This is surreal," Darcy said, her eyes scanning the room. "First, a Norse god crashes on Earth, now we're here in the middle of a top-secret laboratory. None of this was in my intern contract."

Jane gave a restrained smile, her thoughts fixed on Thor, the man she had met and who was now under the care of S.H.I.E.L.D.

When the two entered the laboratory, they were greeted by Grant, who was standing guard at the main entrance. Darcy, always direct, wasted no time.

"Hey, handsome soldier, are you the one protecting the sexy Norse god?" Darcy asked with a mischievous smile.

Grant, who had learned to deal with strange situations throughout his career, gave a polite smile.

— Agent Grant Ward, Level 8 of S.H.I.E.L.D. — He replied, keeping his tone professional. — And yes, I am here to ensure everyone's safety.

Darcy chuckled and moved a little closer, trying to be charming.

— Level 8 agent, huh? Impressive. — She winked at him. — I bet you have interesting stories to tell. How about we grab a coffee and you tell me some?

Grant, unfazed, kept his polite smile and replied:

— I appreciate the invitation, but I'm already taken.

Darcy grimaced, clearly disappointed, but she didn't lose her humor.

— Of course you are, because everyone nice guys are already taken. — She grumbled, while Jane rolled her eyes at her side.

"Come on, Darcy," Jane said. "We have more important things to do than flirt with security guards."

Grant followed them to where Erik Selvig was, and Jane began to discuss the next steps regarding Thor. Darcy, still playful, gave Grant one last look before following Jane.

Later, as Grant kept a close eye on Jane and Darcy's movements, they decided to go out to a nearby café while they waited for more updates on Thor's situation. Grant followed at a safe distance, making sure everything was under control. However, what seemed like a peaceful moment would soon turn into something much bigger.

As they sat in a local café, Jane watched the sky, which was beginning to close in with dark clouds, and felt a nervousness growing inside her. It was as if something was about to happen. Darcy, oblivious to everything, was taking a big sip of her coffee with milk, when suddenly a bright glow caught everyone's attention.

Sif, Fandral and Volstagg, the three warriors of Asgard, suddenly appeared, their battle suits shining in the sunlight that tried to pierce the dark clouds. The trio walked with haste and determination, clearly looking for Thor.

Jane and Darcy were amazed when they saw them.

"Ah, more Norse gods!" Darcy exclaimed. "This only gets better!"

Jane, on the other hand, knew that their presence was not a good sign. She dropped her cup and ran towards the warriors, while Grant, ever vigilant, was already approaching, alert for any suspicious movement.

"Thor is in the laboratory!" Jane shouted, pointing in the direction of the building. "What's going on?"

Sif, the imposing warrior, was the one who answered, her voice firm and clear.

"We need to find him now. There are dark forces at work." Grant glanced at Jane and Darcy, realizing that the situation was about to escalate.

In the lab, Thor was confined, feeling helpless without his hammer Mjolnir. When the three warriors entered the room, Thor immediately stood up.

"Sif, Fandral, Volstagg!" Thor greeted his friends with relief. "What are you doing here?"

Sif approached, her face serious.

"Thor, Loki lied to you that Odin died. Odin merely entered the Odinsleep, as we know happens from time to time. Loki is trying to take the throne of Asgard."

Thor seemed overcome by a mixture of anger and confusion. He had believed his father, Odin, was dead, and it had devastated him.

"Loki..." Thor murmured, feeling the weight of his brother's betrayal.

Before he could continue, a tremor shook the lab floor. The lights flickered, and the sound of metal being torn echoed off the walls. Grant, who had been watching everything closely, drew his weapon, ready to act.

"What's going on?" Jane asked, frightened.

"Something's coming." Fandral said, readying his sword.

The main door of the laboratory was violently ripped open, and the enormous metallic figure of the Destroyer entered. His eyes shone with a destructive fire, and his mere presence radiated menace.

The Destroyer began to launch energy blasts, destroying everything in its path. Grant quickly pulled Jane and Darcy to safety, while the Asgardian warriors and Thor prepared for battle.

"Stay down!" Grant shouted to Jane and Darcy, as he fired at the Destroyer, knowing that his bullets would have no real effect.

Sif, with her shining spear, advanced first, attacking the Destroyer with precision and force, but he was relentless. The energy blasts knocked down everything around, and the Destroyer continued to destroy the structure of the laboratory.

Fandral and Volstagg attacked together, trying to distract the creature, while Thor, still without his powers, tried to find a way to fight. However, the Destroyer was too powerful, and his energy blasts threw Thor away, brutally throwing him against a wall. Thor fell to the ground, seriously injured and without strength.

Jane, in shock, ran towards Thor. "Thor!" She screamed, kneeling beside him. "Are you okay? You need to get up!"

Thor, weakened, looked at Jane with regret. "I can't... Not without Mjolnir..."

Before Jane could answer, Erik Selvig appeared and pulled her away. "Jane, we need to get out of here! It's too dangerous!"

Jane struggled, but was eventually taken to a safe area, while the chaos continued around her.

Suddenly, the sky went completely dark. The clouds swirled, and thunder echoed in the distance. Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, which was in a nearby installation, began to move, responding to the call of its true owner.

Thor, lying on the ground, began to feel a new strength growing within him. Thunder rumbled, and an intense light illuminated the sky. Mjolnir broke the barrier of gravity and flew towards its master.