Free The Avengers Assemble by Thomas Macri

sure what to make of any of this.
    As if on cue, the dust lifted and revealed a huge, otherworldly, humanlike figure covered in metal. It was the Destroyer.
    â€œIs that one of Stark’s?” Agent Sitwell asked Coulson.
    â€œI don’t know, that guy never tells me anything,” Coulson replied.
    Coulson stepped up to the twenty-foot being, held up a megaphone to it, and announced, “Hello. You are using unregistered weapons technology. Identify yourself.”
    In response, the Destroyer revealed its face—a fiery furnace—and began to shoot energy from it, vaporizing anything it came into contact with.
    â€œJane, you have to leave,” Thor said.
    â€œWhat are you going to do?” Jane asked.
    â€œI’m staying here,” Thor replied.
    â€œThor’s going to fight with us!” Volstagg pronounced.
    â€œMy friends, I am just a man. I’ll only be in the way, and at worst get one of you killed. But I can help get these people to safety.”
    â€œWell, if you’re staying, then so am I,” Jane said.
    Thor helped Jane clear the town, loading people into trucks, helping people find their way in the chaos. And while Thor, Jane, Erik, and Darcy did their part, the four Asgardians faced the Destroyer, which they knew the jealous and bitter Loki had sent to Midgard to vanquish his brother.
    But one after another, the Asgardians found it impossible to fend off the Destroyer. While Thor’s friends—mortal and immortal—took cover, Thor knew what he must do. As Odin’s son, as a prince of Asgard, he must combat the Destroyer.
    He spoke to Loki from across the Realms.
    â€œBrother, whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to lead you to do this, I am truly sorry. But these people are innocent. Taking their lives will gain you nothing.”
    He stepped up to the Destroyer, whose entire body was blazing beneath its armor.
    â€œSo take mine,” Thor said, “and end this.”
    With that, the Destroyer closed its faceplate and turned to walk away. Thor was smiling, comforted that his words had reached his brother. But as it was leaving, the Destroyer backhanded Thor and sent him flying hundreds of yards across the dusty town.
    â€œNo!” Jane yelled, running over to him.
    Thor heaved, bloody and beaten, not able to withstand the blow without his powers.
    â€œIt’s over,” he said to Jane. “You’re safe.”
    Thor closed his eyes. A mighty hero had fallen. His stunned friends looked on as the Destroyer walked off into the horizon.
    At that very moment, fifty miles away, Mjolnir began to rattle, shake, and finally break free from its stone encasement. It shot across the desert and landed right in the hand of Thor. Lightning struck, sending a blast of sand and smoke into the desert sky. When the dust cleared, Thor stood, outfitted in his armor and cape. He had proven himself worthy of Mjolnir by his selfless deeds and actions.
    Thor twirled Mjolnir victoriously over his head, whipping up a twister that sucked up the Destroyer. Thor battled it in the heart of the storm, easily defeating the being and sending it crashing to the ground before making his own triumphant return.
    Now he needed to journey over the Bifrost and return to Asgard to confront his brother. But before he could move to do so, Agent Coulson approached him.
    â€œExcuse me, Donald?” he said. “I don’t think you’ve been completely honest with us.”
    â€œYou and I fight for the same cause—the protection of this world,” Thor said. “From this day forward, you can count me as your ally. If you return the items you have taken from Jane.”
    â€œStolen,” Jane clarified.
    â€œBorrowed,” Coulson protested. “Of course you can have your equipment back. You’re going to need it to continue your research.”
    Jane beamed.
    Heimdall opened the Bifrost.
    â€œI must return to Asgard,”