Reborn with Steve Stand

Chapter 32:

Coulson's subordinate's report is accurate.

Thor quietly approached the meteorite crater on a nearby hillside.

Despite Jane Foster and Dr. Selvig offering their assistance, Thor politely declined. He believed the government had sealed off the heavily guarded area around the crater, and he didn't want these kind-hearted Midgardians to risk themselves.

However, Thor had overestimated his abilities.

As the God of Thunder, he relished direct confrontations and relied on his physical strength. Infiltration was unfamiliar to him, especially since he had lost his divine powers. Though he believed his infiltration skills to be exceptional, he couldn't have anticipated what awaited him.

Unbeknownst to Thor, every move he made was captured by the surveillance cameras.

Meanwhile, inside the base, Hawkeye had already detected Thor's presence. Prepared for combat, he set aside his compound bow and contemplated their next move. "Should we apprehend him and interrogate him?" he suggested.

Coulson, however, had his own plans, likely instructed by Nick Fury before his departure. After a brief contemplation, Coulson replied, "Let him proceed. I want to see if he can actually lift that hammer."

"Understood," Hawkeye acknowledged, comprehending Coulson's underlying message.

While Fang Mo had claimed that no one else could wield the hammer, Nick Fury, naturally suspicious, couldn't fully trust anyone. Thus, he likely instructed Coulson to think independently and not blindly follow Fang Mo's words.

Fang Mo, on the other hand, paid no heed to these dynamics.

His sole objective was to exploit S.H.I.E.L.D.'s authority to unlock the module without concerning himself with gaining favor or trust from others.

Fang Mo dismissed such matters as trivial.

With Coulson's approval, the agents in the vicinity deliberately eased their surveillance.

Soon, Thor successfully infiltrated the base, his gaze fixed on the meteorite crater ahead. Excitement surged within him as he anticipated the imminent restoration of his divine powers.

Mjolnir, Thor's mighty hammer, seemed to beckon him, emitting a potent electromagnetic field.

Dark clouds rapidly gathered in the night sky, accompanied by thunderous roars and torrential rainfall. The powerful electromagnetic field disrupted all electronic devices within the base, sowing chaos.

Seizing the moment, Thor tore a piece of curtain and entered the meteorite crater.

As his eyes fell upon the hammer lying on the ground, a relieved smile played on Thor's lips. Acting instinctively, he strode toward his weapon, intending to reclaim it.

However, his smile vanished as he gripped the hammer's handle.

Once an instrument of immense might, the hammer now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Try as he might, even with bulging veins and utmost effort, Thor failed to lift it from the groundit remained immovable, rejecting its master.

In an instant, Thor plummeted from heavenly elation to abysmal despair.

Anger, frustration, disappointment, and pain flooded his heart, culminating in a despairing roar that echoed like the lament of a deranged soul.

"No!"

Ironically, the thunderstorm in the sky underscored his anguish. Raindrops pelted the ground, creating a splattering of mud in a cruel twist of fate.

Thor, realizing he couldn't reclaim his divine power, crumbled to his knees on the muddy ground, drained of strength. His mind went blank, allowing the approaching S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to seize him and lead him to the interrogation room.

Shortly after, Coulson entered the room to question Thor, but the outcome fell far short of his expectations. Unable to wield the hammer, Thor retreated into himself, offering no response to Coulson's inquiries. He appeared shattered, devastated by this significant blow.

Coulson contemplated for a while and decided it would be best to let Thor calm down before proceeding further. If Thor continued to resist, Coulson didn't hesitate to consider doing any means necessary, as S.H.I.E.L.D. excelled in the art of interrogation.

Thor's previous performance had deeply disappointed Coulson. Despite Fang Mo proclaiming him as the God of Thunder, Thor couldn't fly, summon lightning, or even lift the hammer. His combat skills were in disarray, relying solely on his physical strength to recklessly pummel opponents.

Even without his divine power, shouldn't a god radiate some divine aura? Where was his godly self-assurance? Where were his wisdom and glory as a deity? Reflecting on Thor's past actions, it seemed more fitting to label him a delusional lunatic than a god, simply dependent on his physical prowess.

To be honest, apart from Fang Mo's words, there was no evidence to substantiate Thor's claim as the Norse God Of Thunder. Even Coulson began to question Fang Mo's reliability, wondering if his prophetic abilities were accurate. Unlike Nick Fury, Coulson had limited interaction with Fang Mo and remained uncertain of his knowledge of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the secrets of their world.

Lost in thought, Coulson was suddenly interrupted. "Sir?" one of Coulson's subordinates spoke up. "This individual seems to be struggling with mental issues. Look, he appears to be engaged in a conversation with himself in front of the mirror. Should we bring in a psychologist?"

"Hmm?" Coulson raised an eyebrow, perplexed by the revelation. Gazing through the one-way glass, he indeed observed Thor seemingly engrossed in dialogue with an unseen presence. It was more than mere muttering; Thor's focused eyes fixated on the mirror on the wall, conveying a genuine connection with someone or something.

Yet, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s advanced surveillance equipment, including cameras and thermal imaging, detected nothing within the room. Thor's behavior grew increasingly concerning. Perhaps he suffered from a severe condition such as delusions.

"Activate audio surveillance and monitor his conversations," Coulson decided after a brief pause.

His agent nodded and pressed a button, allowing Thor's voice to resonate through the speakers: "I should be the one apologizing. Thank you for coming to see me for the last time... Wait, Loki, what's happening to you!?"

As Thor spoke, his bewildered expression intensified, accompanied by a sudden heavy thud. In the blink of an eye, a burst of green light enveloped the room, and a slender man materialized within the confines of the interrogation room.