The unstoppable Destroyer has fallen!
Even though it was a war machine crafted by Odin himself, the Destroyer ultimately couldn't withstand Thor's relentless strikes.
The overwhelming lightning power channeled through Kagura's attacks surged into the Destroyer's head, clashing with its own energy source inside its beam cannon system.
The resulting energy overload completely wrecked the Destroyer's internal systems, causing a massive explosion that reduced this once-mighty Asgardian superweapon to nothing more than scrap metal.
The explosion devastated half a block of Puente Antiguo, but thankfully, prior evacuation efforts ensured there were no casualties.
As for property damage? Normally, the ever-reliable "Scapegoat Bureau" (ahem, S.H.I.E.L.D.) would handle compensation, but this time, Nick Fury got lucky—two billionaires were on the scene.
Both Tony Stark and Kagura, out of personal responsibility and goodwill, would chip in to help rebuild the town.
If Stark Industries and Rhodes Island Industries covered reconstruction costs, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s financial burden would be lighter, and Nick Fury would have fewer headaches pushing forward with the Avengers Initiative.
'Boom!'
As the energy surge finally settled, the thick smoke gradually dispersed, revealing the Destroyer's shattered remains.
The once-imposing war machine, its head blasted apart, was now just a pile of lifeless, blackened Uru metal fragments scattered across the street.
The previously pulsating orange energy faded, and the magical properties within the metal dissipated, leaving behind a wreckage with all its intricate internal structures laid bare.
"'Always aim for the head'. Got it, Kagura, my dear little sister."
Now fully restored to his divine strength, Thor retrieved Mjolnir and walked over, gently patting Kagura's shoulder.
"I gotta say, I like girls who are both beautiful and badass!"
"I like her too, but I'm not letting you have her—she's family," Tony Stark interjected.
"By the way, is this how you always dress? Armor, red cape… WTF, do you wear your underwear on the outside too?"
"I usually dress like this, yes," Thor replied earnestly.
"But underwear on the outside? What kind of weird Earth custom is that?"
Kagura tilted her head. "Thor, you don't seem too surprised by my powers. I thought you'd be more shocked—I did just control your lightning, after all."
Thor chuckled, ruffling her silver hair.
"Not at all, my dear sister. You see, Asgardians have seen all sorts of bizarre things. You're just another being who can wield energy. Sure, I'm curious about the energy core inside you, but that's your business, and I won't pry."
"I agree," Tony chimed in again. "It's not polite to dig into a lady's secrets."
Kagura blinked. Why does Tony sound kinda… jealous?
"Thanks for understanding," she said with a sweet smile. "Honestly, I don't fully understand my own powers either."
"Then keep exploring them," Thor encouraged. "Who knows? There might be an epic story behind them waiting to be uncovered."
Kagura nodded thoughtfully.
"By the way," Tony spoke up again, pointing at the Destroyer's wreckage, "Asgard's not planning on dropping more of these big metal guys on us, right? 'Cause this is basically an alien invasion at this point."
"Don't worry, Asgard holds no hostility toward Earth. This was all Loki's doing," Thor assured him.
"I regret everything that happened here, and I intend to return to Asgard immediately to have a… proper conversation with my dear brother."
"Well, you better have your own ride, 'cause our rockets might not get you home."
Thor grinned.
"Don't worry. Would you like to see Asgard's Bifröst?"
A moment later, a brilliant rainbow beam descended from the sky.
Tony Stark stared in awe.
"So… hyperspace travel is real?"
As the Bifröst's glow engulfed Thor and his companions, Tony continued, "And extraterrestrial threats are very much a thing?"
"Every new threat is also a new opportunity, Stark," Thor said.
"An opportunity to expand your perspective, to advance civilization, to forge new friendships. You shouldn't look up at the stars with fear—you should see them as the start of a new journey."
"You make a good point," Tony admitted.
"But I'm not sure humanity is ready for an interstellar awakening just yet."
"Sometimes, before you can walk, you have to run," Thor replied with a knowing smile.
"Heh, funny. My dad used to say the same thing," Tony mused. He nodded.
"Take care, Your Highness. Looking forward to our next meeting."
"I will," Thor said before turning to Kagura.
"Sister, I'm glad we met. I'll never forget your help. While I can't formally join Griffin as an Asgardian prince, I'll always be available as a… special ally."
"That's great to hear!" Kagura beamed.
"Griffin could really use more hands right now."
"Once I settle things with Loki, I'll be ready whenever you need me," Thor promised. "Rest assured, Earth is under my protection."
Kagura folded her hands behind her back, smirking. "So… do you have a phone? What's your number?"
"A… phone?" Thor looked utterly lost.
"I don't have a phone, but you can, uh… email me?"
"Email? You have a computer?"
"A what now?"
"A computer… you know, the thing you use to send emails?"
"...…"
An awkward silence followed.
"Ahem!" Thor cleared his throat.
"No worries, Heimdall watches over this realm. If you need me, just call my name into the sky."
The rainbow light faded as the Bifröst whisked Thor away to Asgard, where he would continue his endless cycle of brotherly love and rivalry with Loki.
Kagura gazed at the spot where he vanished, a mix of emotions flashing across her face.
She sighed softly.
"I wonder… will Loki still follow his destined path?"
Had her words left any imprint on his heart?
[Mission Completed: Ensure Thor's Safety Until He Reclaims His Power]
[Reward: 10 QP]
She frowned. Still haven't finished forming a superhero team, huh…
"Hitomi, what exactly is Griffin?"
Now that Thor had left, Tony turned to her with curiosity.
"Griffin Security Agency is an organization I envision—one that will serve as a guardian and watchdog for human civilization. Think of it as a 'watchdog chip' in an electronic system. That analogy should make sense to you, Mr. Stark?"
Tony nodded, deep in thought.
"Interesting… is this your idea?"
"Yup!" Kagura grinned.
"Save me a spot," Tony said.
"I don't trust you wandering around unsupervised."
"Hey! What do you mean wandering around unsupervised?!" she huffed, puffing up her cheeks in protest.