"Goodbye, Hogun. I hope the next time I come to Vanaheim, it will have regained its former glory."
Hogun gave Thor a solemn nod. The Bifrost faded away, leaving behind only intricate and mysterious patterns etched into the ground.
Asgard remained as prosperous as ever. The people lived in peace, soldiers drilled in formation, and within the golden palace, Odin—the All-Father—looked down upon the realm. At his side stood Thor, the future King of Asgard.
"Is the matter in Vanaheim resolved?" Odin asked, gazing over Asgard below.
"Yes, Father. Aside from Vanaheim, both Nornheim and Alfheim have also returned to peace," Thor replied, mirroring Odin's posture as he surveyed the realm.
"Excellent. Since the destruction of the Bifrost, this is the first time the Nine Realms have returned to peace and stability. They will remember our strength—and you have earned their respect and reverence."
Odin was clearly pleased with Thor's conduct. Through his ravens, he had witnessed the entire campaign. This time, Thor was no longer reckless—each battle was calculated, contained, and free of collateral damage. Most importantly, Thor had learned that war was not about annihilating one's enemies, but about subduing them.
"Yet I can see that your heart is not at peace," Odin continued. "Are you thinking of that girl from Earth?"
"This has nothing to do with Jane Foster," Thor said, turning his gaze toward the ever-brilliant Bifrost.
"Human lives are fleeting, Thor. They are not worth lingering attachment. Their lifespans scarcely exceed a century. You should cherish those before you."
Odin's eyes drifted toward the plaza below, where Sif was instructing soldiers in combat drills. She was the consort Odin and Frigga had chosen for Thor.
Thor followed his father's gaze. His relationship with Sif was one of comradeship and friendship—nothing more.
"I am not speaking to you as the All-Father," Odin said quietly, "but as your father. Sif is your best destiny."
Turning away, Odin added, "Go and celebrate your victory. Raise a cup, feast, and rejoice. Do not stand here wearing that grim expression."
With that, Odin departed, leaving Thor alone, staring silently toward the distant Bifrost.
That night, the celebration was held as planned. Laughter and music filled the hall as everyone immersed themselves in revelry—everyone except Thor, who stood alone in a corner, lost in thought. No one knew what weighed on his mind.
"You're going to Midgard, aren't you?"
Sif approached and stood beside him.
Thor said nothing, but the answer was obvious.
"I've noticed you look toward the Bifrost every night," Sif continued. "Even when you were in other realms. Asgard rules over the Nine Realms—the future king cannot fixate on just one."
The implication was unmistakable.
Thor understood. He smiled faintly, took a long look at Sif, then turned and left the celebration, disappearing into the night.
---
In New York, Jane Foster sat in a restaurant, staring blankly at the menu. From time to time, she looked up at the sky, hoping to see a streak of multicolored light descend from above—but ever since it vanished, it had never returned.
While she was lost in thought, her best friend Darcy suddenly appeared and plopped down across from her.
"Hey! I went to the lab—I thought I'd find you wandering around in a lab coat. Didn't expect you to be here… still thinking about that—"
Darcy gestured upward with her knife.
"Darcy, did you come here for something?" Jane asked helplessly. "Can't I even eat in peace?"
"Oh, right! Remember that detector you threw away? It's reacting again. You should come take a look."
Darcy pulled out a device—every reading on it was glowing red.
"Can you at least let me finish my meal?" Jane said, glancing at the detector before tossing it back to Darcy.
"Fine. I'll wait in the car."
Darcy stood up, detector in hand—and casually swiped a piece of bread on her way out.
Jane stared outside for a moment, then suddenly stood and walked out of the restaurant toward Darcy's little red car.
"I knew you'd come," Darcy said as she started the engine and sped off.
"Where are we going?" Jane asked. She couldn't even remember where she'd thrown the detector.
"London," Darcy replied.
---
Back at the office, Tony had left for Malibu to oversee the reconstruction of his mansion—especially the underground laboratory. This time, he planned to expand it, and only felt at ease supervising it personally.
Carl and Skye sat together. Skye was working at her computer while Carl watched from the side—so bored that he had resorted to observing her code.
"If you're bored, go out and take a walk," Skye said, nudging him with her shoulder. "Stop interrupting my work, okay? Be good."
Carl stood up helplessly. There was clearly no place for him here anymore. Wearing a forlorn expression, he pushed open the door and stepped out onto the street.
A red-and-blue blur streaked overhead. Carl didn't even need to look—he knew it was Peter. That kid spent all day swinging around New York instead of staying in the lab to do research.
"Maybe there's something fun going on. Should I check it out?"
Muttering to himself, Carl rose into the air and chased after Peter.
"Peter, what's going on?" Carl asked as he flew alongside him.
"Carl? You're this free?" Peter exclaimed. "Doesn't the office have anything for you to do?"
"There's no place for me there anymore. I've been abandoned," Carl said, wiping away imaginary tears.
"Looks like Skye kicked you out again," Peter said knowingly. "Perfect timing—I just got a tip about a bank robbery. Want to check it out with me?"
Carl's eyes lit up. That sounded far better than sitting around doing nothing.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
He flipped in midair, his cloak snapping as his speed surged.
"Hey—wait for me! Do you even know where you're going?!"
Peter shot out a web and chased after him.
By the time they arrived, the robbers had already split up, fleeing in two trucks.
"Pick one," Peter said, pointing at the vehicles heading in opposite directions.
"The one on the left."
"Got it."
Peter chased after the right-hand truck, while Carl flew straight toward the left.
A truck was no match for Carl's flying speed. Within seconds, he caught up and landed squarely on the roof.
Boom!
Carl slammed down hard. The truck immediately lost balance and began swerving wildly across the road.
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