Marvel Comics: The Sentinel(Sentry)

The stars were dim, obscured by thick clouds...

Sean stood alone on the balcony. He had promised Harry that tomorrow they would visit S.H.I.E.L.D.'s temporary base to demand the return of the confiscated research data and equipment from Coulson.

In the heavy darkness, the vast land lay like a slumbering ancient beast. The breeze brushed against Sean's face, carrying with it a faint, rhythmic sound like breathing. Far in the distance, lightning tore through the dense clouds, unleashing violent surges of energy.

"Asgardians... I hope they can bring me some surprises."

The young man's gaze pierced through the thick night, toward where a makeshift fortress should be...

S.H.I.E.L.D. had always been keenly interested in anything supernatural. Recalling the events of the original timeline, he couldn't help but smile.

Thor, the exiled prince of Asgard, was probably being detained right now as an illegal intruder, treated like some rogue mercenary by the black-suited agents.

"Asgard, the protector of the Nine Realms?"

A faint golden light flickered in Sean's deep, bright eyes. He was looking forward to meeting the so-called god of thunder.

Interacting with Thor would lift the veil of mystery surrounding the Nine Realms and provide him with information about ancient civilizations, such as the Dark Elves from millions of years ago, or the Frost Giants, who had been driven back by Asgard.

In the vast universe, Earth was not the only civilization. It was not alone.

As his thoughts wandered, Harry barged in abruptly, his face etched with anxiety as if something major had happened.

Half an hour earlier, Jane had insisted on rescuing Thor. She was convinced by the blurred humanoid figures in her astronomical photos that his wild claims might be true... that he truly came from another world, a civilization beyond human understanding.

Dr. Selvig, who had been brought in to assist with the research, dismissed Thor as nothing more than a delusional liar or a vagrant.

He knew all too well how dangerous S.H.I.E.L.D. could be, those black-suited agents were far from benevolent. Risking Jane's safety for a stranger they'd known for only a few days was out of the question.

"If there really is an Einstein-Rosen bridge, then something must exist on the other side! An unknown civilization could cross over!"

Jane pointed at the book on Norse mythology as she spoke earnestly, "The stories passed down through generations might not all be fiction. If an advanced civilization truly existed, then in ancient times, we might have worshipped them like gods, just as primitive tribes once did!"

Dr. Selvig rubbed his temples, unable to dissuade the determined Jane. Reluctantly, he conceded.

"All done!" Darcy, who had tagged along from New York for six college credits, flashed a victory sign as she tapped on her phone, "Let's leave this problem to Harry. He'll definitely handle it."

She had taken quite a liking to the young Osborn heir, "Harry mentioned that his friend has connections with S.H.I.E.L.D. Maybe they can help."

...

~Inside the S.H.I.E.L.D. Temporary Facility~

"You made our men, some of the most highly trained operatives in the world, look like underpaid mall security. That's… humiliating. In my experience, it takes serious discipline to take them down like that. Where were you trained? Pakistan? Chechnya? Afghanistan?" Faced with the silent intruder, Coulson maintained his patience.

He firmly believed that while violence could make most people talk, it wasn't always effective. Psychological pressure and verbal manipulation were far more reliable in breaking a person's defenses.

"Your fighting style leans toward mercenary work. South Africa, perhaps? I know some organizations pay top dollar for elite soldiers like you. Either way, we'll get the information we want. Trust me... many people here are very good at that."

Coulson studied the blond man, who sat like a statue, utterly despondent. Realizing he wouldn't get much out of him now, he turned to leave.

The moment the door closed, the reflection in the glass mirror shifted, revealing a handsome man in a long black coat, a roguish smirk playing on his lips.

His eyes gleamed with mischief and exuded a dangerous charm that drew attention, yet instinctively made people wary.

"Loki? What are you doing here?" Thor, who had remained silent until now, looked up in surprise, "What's happened? Is it Jotunheim? Let me explain to Father–"

His arrogance and recklessness had nearly reignited the ancient war between Asgard and the Frost Giants, prompting Odin to strip him of his power and banish him to Earth to learn humility and what it truly meant to be a king.

"Father is dead."

Loki's eyes brimmed with sorrow. The infamous trickster of Norse mythology was a master of deception, "Your banishment, the threat of war… it was too much for him. Don't blame yourself. I know you loved him. I tried to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen. Leaving Mjolnir within your reach, knowing you could never lift it again… that was cruel."

With the All-Father in the Odinsleep and Thor exiled, Loki had seized the throne, temporarily ruling Asgard in his stead.

"The burden of the throne now falls to me. The truce with Jotunheim requires your permanent exile. Even Mother forbids your return. I came to say goodbye, brother. I'm sorry."

Loki's voice was thick with emotion, whether genuine or expertly performed, even he might not have known.

"No, the apology is mine. Thank you for coming." Thor, ever the warrior, was never skilled in the art of deception.

Seeing his once-proud brother now broken and believing his lies, Loki turned away, a smirk curling on his lips. He would prove to Odin that Thor was never fit to rule. He would become the king of the Nine Realms, wielding glory like the All-Father himself.

"Goodbye." Thor watched as Loki's form dissolved into the air like an illusion.

"Goodbye?" Coulson, who had just reentered, raised an eyebrow, "I just got back, Dr. Donald..."

"...Hard to believe a doctor could have such impressive combat skills. Dr. Donald Blake, born in Norway, an enthusiast of Norse mythology. You think that object in the crater is the mythical hammer of Thor? Doctor, you might want to see a psychiatrist."

Coulson walked in, his earlier suspicions seemingly resolved. His tone was no longer cold but almost amused, "Your friends are waiting outside, Dr. Donald. Next time, maybe drink a little less. It'd be better for everyone."

The mild-mannered agent cracked a joke as he led the bewildered blond man out. There, Thor saw Jane, her face etched with worry, along with the others he had met in recent days.

"Hey, Dr. Donald! So good to see you!"

A young man stepped forward, grinning brightly, as if greeting an old friend he hadn't seen in years...