Thor Odinson (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} tordenguden) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} avengers_logs,@ 2020-05-01 21:00:00 |
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| Entry tags: | -complete, jane foster, sif, stephen strange, thor odinson, valkyrie |
Who: Thor, Sif, Valkyrie, Jane, Doctor Strange
What: Thor asks for Strange's help getting Loki back. After Strange refuses, Thor brews a superstorm over NYC.
When: daytime, after Peter's texts and the news report.
Notes: The storm will last into the night (gametime-wise). Realtime-wise, we're stretching it until Monday or Tuesday, to give everyone time to react if you want to.
Using Stormbreaker, the Asgardian representatives - Thor, Sif, and the Valkyrie - have arrived outside the Sanctum Sanctorum to ask Dr. Strange to open a portal to rescue Loki.
There was a numbness inside of Thor, one that he hadn’t felt in much time. Everything was making sense , and falling into place. New Asgard was finally home again, Jane was by his side, the Valkryie and his brother were ruling and doing well …
And then this. Loki. Arrested.
The news hit Thor with the force of a thousand armies, trampling over everything and causing his stomach to recoil in constant turmoil. He had never been the best at ‘planning’ or ‘thinking things through’. All he knew was his brother was in trouble, and this was unacceptable. Loki was not the same as before; he wasn’t a war criminal...and Thor sitll strongly suspected that there was something more behind Loki’s earlier actions. This whole world domination thing...well, it was part of Loki’s thing, but world annihilation?? No. If all the worlds were gone, then who would praise and worship Loki?
No. This was ridiculous. Only one person could set this right, as reluctantly as Thor was to admit it. The Doctor Strange. Leaving Jane with a terse explanation, he gathered Sif and Valkyrie, and commanded Stormbreaker to take them directly to the Sanctum where Thor proceeded to enter forcefully, with a determined step. He didn’t stop to question why the doors opened, or that the Doctor clearly knew he was already there, with crew.
“Sorcerer! I would have words with you! Something horrible has befallen my brother, and I require immediate assistance in setting things right.”
True to form, Doctor Strange was waiting in the foyer as though expecting their arrival, as wooden faced as the Sanctum's dimly lit interior. The cape was swishing back and forth, more fluid than fabric in appearance, as though it was agitated whereas its bearer was calm.
"I'm gathering you've seen the news," Stephen said, with infuriating slowness to contrast Thor's brashness. "Here's where I remind you that you were supposed to keep an eye on Loki, who is still classified as a potential planetary threat. You failed to do that, even after I bound an Infinity Stone into his pocket dimension to keep him check. So right now, the safest place is probably in a lockdown. Where there are eyes on him. Twenty-four hours a day. Seven days a week. No one can get into a sorcerer's space to get the Space Stone, unless that sorcerer wills it. And he can't will it."
Stephen supposed that offering tea was probably not something that any Asgardians wanted, and his hands were at the ready to put any attackers into a time-out freefall between dimensions.
Cooly, he looked over Thor's companions and offered, "All I can offer you is a portal back to New Asgard. Otherwise, I can't help you any further than that."
Valkyrie's eye was twitching when Thor came to collect her. Life had, well not settled, found a nice routine with Loki. They were figuring everything out. She was settled back into running things, and rather happy with it too. Then this came up and she forgot how to breathe for a second.
She didn't hesitate to go with Thor and Sif, and she'd pulled the eerie calm mask into place. No one was more Zen than her right now. In fact for those who knew her well? It was probably a little unsettling. She followed Thor silently, trying to keep a lid on everything.
Listening to Strange made her eye twitch again, even as she felt everything as strongly as her friend did. Her heart hurt, and that really just made her angry, keeping that off her face was hard. Her mind raced, first with annoyance with Strange, then trying to run over every scenario she should think of to get Loki back. Very few of them nice. But she said nothing, even as she believed lockdown was the worst possible thing for her husband.
She was behaved. Except for the muttered fucker under her breath as she looked between her companions. Just walking away didn't seem like an idea that would get them anywhere.
Sif had been shocked to hear that Loki had been captured in the first place, but was more shocked to hear Strange's flat no. The logic of it was clear to her mind, though. Strange's priorities were not their own, and it wasn't Strange's brother in the prison. Nor did Strange have the memories of Loki murdered by Thanos, nor of his sad imprisonment after New York. But still, she had to try, with logic.
"If Loki's place of imprisonment is known, and Thanos comes for the stone, it will be too easy to find him. Would it not be better to have him released, where he can flee if need be?"
"I think the entire point was that he wouldn't be fleeing in the first place. Or sneaking around. Or getting caught. Which has happened before, even if none of you were here at the time to remember it. That's why I bound the Tesseract to him and to his brother," Strange paused to nod in Thor's direction, "and why Thor is the only one magically bound to allow Loki to release it."
That meant that if worse came to worse, even if Thanos had Loki cornered with intent to kill, there was no way for Loki to give up the Tesseract to save his own neck, much less anyone else's. And since it was basically an impossible task to get something out of a dead sorcerer's pocket dimension (they tended to collapse upon demise), that meant the Tesseract would finally be permanently out of reach. For anyone.
That contingency was exactly what Doctor Strange had planned, all along. Even if there was no joy in it, bases needed covered and countless lives throughout the universe needed to be protected. If he had to put it into Star Trek terminology, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one.
"I hate being the one to remind everyone, but I'm going to do it anyway. It says right there, in the welcome brochure. Play stupid games? Win stupid prizes. And here we are." He looked at each of them, one by one, before his stare landed squarely on Thor. "I won't help you get Loki out of wherever he is right now. The answer is no."
Sif could see the fury in Thor's eyes at that flat answer. "Come away, my lord King," she told him, laying stress on that last word, to remind him that whatever he did here had consequences for all his people. She took one arm and gestured to Val to take the other. "Let us away; if the sorcerer is bound not to release him, there is no reason to stay here."
Valkyrie grabbed the other arm to help drag Thor out before he lost his temper. She was not much better to be honest, which is why she didn't open her mouth to say anything. She was trying to keep the Zen, kingly appearance going too. Otherwise she was gonna behave badly.
It wasn’t so much the refusal that bothered Thor (although it was). It was more that he could completely see that there was NOTHING that could be sad to change Strange’s mind. If Thor was more rational, he would have realized that this was probably foreseen, or remember that Strange’s role was to ensure the universe’s survival..or something to that effect.
Instead, all he knew was that he was about to yell, curse, demand assistance, perhaps even punch (well, attempt to) the smug looking doctor, he felt arms on either side, a strong reminder that he was not alone, and that he needed to accept this...or at least behave.
It was with ruminating thoughts that he allowed himself to be escorted, all the while glaring at Strange with light flashing in his eyes.
In a classic case of not helping matters, Stephen was unflinchingly watching as Thor was dragged out. And before they got out the door, he doubled down with, "I know this isn't what you want to hear. But the answer is still no."
And as they passed the threshold, the door closed as though it was a final word on the matter.
No.
A simple response to a very complicated request.
It wasn’t that complicated actually. It was simple. It was so simple, and absolutely not beyond Strange’s powers, so Thor could not -- absolutely could not -- understand why Strange wouldn’t do it. All they needed was a portal. Thor couldn’t enter this mysterious prison, not without a diplomatic incident. He was cognizant enough about that, but really -- what was one portal? After all that Thor had done for this world, for this realm …after all the healing, and changing Loki had done…
For what? To leave him languishing in internment?
Flashes of Loki’s face during his previous imprisonment kept skirting in Thor’s brain. This would set back Loki’s progress immeasurably. And then what about Valkyrie? She had remained stoic as ever, but this news had to hurt hard. IT would hit the whole community hard. Loki had redeemed himself in the eyes of Asgardians, was a valued member…
These thoughts and more raced and chased each other in his mind, so much so that Thor didn’t even notice how his hands were clenching so hard, nothing would pry his fists apart. Every single muscle was tense, and the familiar smell of electricity was starting to exude from him, not just nearby but everywhere. Before too long, rain was starting to pour as massive grey clouds suddenly gathered and violently let loose. Floating a few inches into the air, he bit down hard on his jaw, feeling a slight wince of pain as he idly realized he must have bit his tongue.
But it didn’t matter.
Water was falling, and yet somehow, he couldn’t feel it inside, where he knew he used to. There was nothing inside.
He’d failed. Again.
Loki …. I’m sorry. .
No. The hardest word she's ever heard. A word that held so much. But she didn't linger on her own hurt, anger - rage - hers bubbled beneath the surface. She could spare everyone that. She's on Thor's heels.
"Thor! Focus please!" She snapped finally as the familiar scent of electricity wafted her way, her eyes catching how tense every muscle was. Then she turned to Sif, "We need to do something before this becomes a bigger problem. Ideas? I'm fresh out of any that don't start with starting a fight." Well at least she was honest, right? Her eyes look towards the sky, then she reconsiders her words. She isn't sure it isn't too late for any other option but she's all ears too. She hoped Sif had an idea.
Sif looked at Thor and then at Strange's door, then back at Val. "Keep him busy, however you must. Try to keep him from wrecking the city. I have an idea of how to calm him. I shall return anon." Then she turned and went back to Strange's residence to ask him for his help in preventing the inevitable outcome of this crisis.
Valkyrie was used to fighting with people bigger than her. Stronger than her. And Thor is both. But she wouldn't back down, if she could keep him distracted long enough. She was more than happy to distract him - she could trade blows with the best of them might as well use it when necessary, right? Even if she was not sure how long her temper would hold.
Sif rapped on the door again. "Strange," she called, "I need your help to save this city from Thor's wrath. Open up."
The door opened and Doctor Strange looked out of it, up into the sky. Seeing Thor's temper whip up a raging storm, bigger than anything that had ever hit the New York coastline was an awe inspiring sight. Stephen allowed himself about three additional seconds to assess what could be done before he focused on Sif again.
Even putting Thor into the Mirror Dimension might not stop the confluence of unstable temperatures and moisture that was now overhead. The most he might be able to do was try to shield the village as much as possible. Within reason.
"If it's releasing Loki, the answer is still no," Stephen yelled through the wind howling through the narrow streets and cramped buildings of the Village. "If it's finding some way to get him to come to his senses again? Tell me what you need."
"I need to get back to New Asgard. His consort Jane Foster may be able to calm him. Will you send me?" Sif hated to ask, to sound as if she were begging, but her dignity was nothing compared to stopping Thor before he forgot himself completely and destroyed New York.
Stephen nodded, and the weight of his decision was heavy on him, even if he wasn't going to relent either. Silently, he turned and opened a portal just inside the Sanctum's now open doorway, and once it was open and ready, he moved aside to let Sif through.
"I'll put a shield over this area," he told Sif while walking down the steps and out onto the street. "It won't stop all of the wind, rain, or lightning, but it may keep some of the projectiles to a minimum."
As he spoke, he raised his arms and cast a shield as large as the ones over the battlefield in another universe, when they were trying to keep the gauntlet away from another Thanos. Another place and time, a different set of dangers. The shield couldn't stop everything, and it was hovering just above the rooftops of Bleecker Street. But the wind was whipping so hard beneath it that it was difficult to remain standing and to focus. Stephen managed it, and he watched as Valkyrie tried to make a dent in Thor's attention span.
Sif stepped through the portal, the winds gusting in behind her. In the village, she looked round and called to the first few people she saw. "You! Where is Doctor Foster? There's an emergency and I need her at once!" After a few questions, someone who had seen Jane spoke up, and Sif ran off to their house to bring her back.
She knocked on the door, hard, when she arrived. "Jane! Come at once! I need your help with Thor before he wrecks New York!"
Thor hadn't been elaborate when he said he was leaving. Gone to see about Loki’s arrest and speak to Strange. Jane made coffee, turned the TV to episodes of Jeopardy on Netflix and settled in to a corner of the couch. It was getting late and she expected that to be her evening until Thor came home. She was half drowsing, half mumbling along to Jeopardy clues when there was a banging on the door.
That was never good.
Jane threw off the blanket around her shoulders and rushed to pull the door open. “Sif? Wait, what? What’s happened? Thor’s wrecking New York?”
"The sorcerer won't free Loki from the Midgardian prison. He says the risk is too great. Thor is furious and his wrath alone has summoned a storm. Come with me; there's a portal so you can go to New York and calm him before his wrath draws the lightning on too many buildings!" Sif reached for Jane's hand, to drag her bodily if need be.
“Oh that idiot," Jane muttered. “When is he going to learn to take me with him if he can’t keep his cool?” She pulled away from Sif, glancing down at her own bare feet. Jane was dressed in a soft pair of sweatpants and a Star Trek T-shirt. “One second.”
Jane dashed off up the stairs. It was slightly longer than the minute she promised but when Jane returned, she’d changed into jeans and a sweatshirt. Her feet were now in a pair of red rainboots and she was pulling her hair back into a ponytail. “Okay, let’s go get him.”
Sif waited impatiently for Jane and, once she reappeared, led her at a fast pace through the village to where the portal was waiting, still standing open. "Go on," she told Jane, and once Jane had, stepped through herself.
"I'm sorry that took so long," she told Strange as she stepped through into the pelting rain. But she didn't have time to make full apologies; she needed to get to Thor before he did something worse.
Jane was instantly soaked as she stepped through from New Asgard and into New York. Already the rumble of thunder was in her ears. Oh Thor. The sky flashed with lightning and Jane glanced up.
“You still remember how to be a doctor, right?” she asked Strange. “The storm is partially self-sustaining unless Thor dismisses it and because it’s a storm it calls to him. He can feel it and that feeling gets fed back into the storm. It’s a feedback loop. Thor won’t hurt me but if he’s this far out of control it’d be nice to have someone around to make sure my heart doesn’t stop if there’s an accident.”
Stephen gave Jane a look like 'Do you remember how to be an astrophysicist?' for 2.5 seconds before his attention was turned back on the tasks at hand.
"Understood and a realistic concern," Doctor Strange said, his focus back on keeping the shield intact. He did nod in the affirmative to Jane's request to let her know it would be ok. His hands might not be able to do surgery anymore, but he could always modify spells whenever in need. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Meanwhile, awnings and signs were ripped off the front of buildings by angry winds. Lightning flashed against the shield and the air rumbled with thunder. Rain and hail beat at brick and pavement, and trees were robbed of newly sprouted leaves. Onlookers could be seen filming on their phones from their windows, either open or shut. Several live streams were being viewed on social media, and already, news rooms were clamoring to contact those filming for airing rights.
Valkyrie was happy to go toe to toe with Thor to keep him focused on her, and not wrecking the city. She knew they couldn’t afford to cause too big of an incident. Or. Well. One bigger than was currently going on. It wasn’t a fight she’s taking pleasure in, which for her is a rarity, but it’s one of desperation. If she could keep his focus on her, then hopefully Sif will come back with help sooner rather than later.
She wasn't going easy though. Valkyrie was just barely holding it together herself, so she was lacking in control of just how much she was putting into it. She’s still disciplined, and smart about it, but there’s more oomph behind it than she usually would. To be honest, her mind was elsewhere. Running through too many scenarios to be healthy, and most of them ending poorly for someone else.
Every time his attention wanders off her she brought it back with a verbal barb, or sharp hit, while trying to mitigate damaging anything around them too much.
Jane stepped away from the protection of the building and into the storm. Even with the magical barrier overhead the roar of the wind was enough to make her eyes burn and the pelting rain hit with enough force to make Jane grit her teeth from the sting. She could see debris flying above her. This had to stop.
“Thor!” she yelled, fighting against the wind and rain to get close to him. “Thor!”
There was a comfort in the storm, a comfort in just letting go. For so long, he had been trying to fit in, to restrain himself. He hadn’t travelled to the other realms, he hadn’t fought anything other than those large animals a few months prior.
This was a release of so much tension, and it felt good . It also felt surreal, and if he was fully present, he would have realized the damage he was causing. As it stood, all he could feel was the storm around him, giving him power as much as he was giving it power.
And then, through a small break in the wind, he heard his name….he heard Jane saying his name.
Impossible, as she was in New Asgard, far from all this. Safe. Probably asleep over her books.
But on the off chance she wasn’t…
“Jane?”
The protective instinct in the back of Jane's mind was screaming at her to go inside. She was not meant to be out in weather like. Human evolution towards self-preservation urged her to find safety from the storm but there Jane pushed on.
"Thor! What are you doing?" She needed to get close, find a safe way to touch him when he wasn't crawling with lightning and give Thor something to ground himself to besides the storm. Jane nodded at Valkyrie, letting the other woman know it was okay.
What was he doing? Wasn't it obvious? He was fighting off Val, dealing with a storm and --
Oh.
HE was the storm.
And before he could say anything, his eyes narrowed. The sorcerer. The man had refused. It was his fault this was happening, not Thor's.
No. That wasn't true really. But at this point the storm had reached enough natural energy, it would take more strength than Thor had at the moment to right itself. He could pull back some, lessen it maybe but this wouldn't clear for a few hours.
In a quieter voice, unclear if Jane could even hear, he sighed, still surrounded by bolts of lightning, clouds rumbling above him. "I can't help my brother."
Jane pushed forward the rest of the distance between them. She was soaked through, exposed skin turning pink from the force of the rain. Thor was hovering above the sidewalk making him even taller to her than he usually was. “I know,” she said. “Thor, love, I need you to take a deep breath and when you let it out, let go of some of the lightning. I’m going to touch you and you’re not going to hurt me but you might if you don’t let go of the lightning. Okay?”
Blue bolts of energy were still crawling all over Thor and touching the metal of his breastplate was likely to be a very exciting form of suicide. He was too high for Jane to reach his face, which was her preference, but she might be able to get ahold of his hand and not die, assuming the water that was drenching them both didn’t conduct enough electricity to be dangerous. “On three. One, two, deep breath, let it out, three.”
Jane reached out and grabbed Thor’s hand. “Come here.”
His first instinct was to lash out, send a bolt out. Her voice though was calming, and like always, the only thing that could really get through to him. It also helped remind him where he actually was, if only through confusion because why was Jane here? It kept flitting through his mind before he realized someone must have gotten her.
And why did his sides hurt suddenly?
Frowning a little bit, the lightning around him slowly dissipated, although the storm remained. Slowly, he lowered to the ground, his hand wrapped around Jane’s and when his feet hit the ground, he noticed that things ...looked quite a bit different than before. And Val and Sif were both there, neither looking too pleased.
“What happened…,” he asked rhetorically. Obviously he knew what happened -- it looked like neither brother was really Midgard’s favourite at the moment. The damage was extensive, and it would only continue on.
“I have made a mess of things. Again.”
Jane stepped in closer, giving Thor even more reason to keep his cool. Once the light faded from his eyes and they returned to their familiar mismatched shades, she reached up her free to rest against his cheek. Another grounding influence.
"We'll talk about it later. You need to vanish what you can of the storm." Then when that was done, she looked at Thor, then back at Sif and Valkyrie. "Let's go home."
As Jane reached out to Thor, Sif turned back toward Strange. "Lord Sorcerer, I would ask another boon: will you send all four of us, myself, Doctor Foster, the Valkyrie and King Thor, back to New Asgard? Methinks it would be wise for us to leave at once."
"Yes, it would," Doctor Strange agreed, holding out one hand toward the portal in the doorway to drag it out onto the street. At this point, with that many cameras streaming these events, any sense of normalcy at this address was a thing of the past. He made a mental note to hide the Sanctum against any interlopers as a tattoo parlor, as soon as possible.
Once the Asgardians and Jane passed through the portal, he collapsed it, and went back to trying to do what he could to redirect the wind and rain. It wouldn't be enough to help the rest of New York. He knew that. And even if he was still refusing to help Thor, he couldn't help but feel like this was going to come back to bite him in the ass already.