Two weeks passed in careful cultivation of relationships and accumulation of power.
Su Chen stood in his apartment's training room—a space that appeared normal to external observation but had been dimensionally expanded by formations drawn from Perfect World principles. Inside this pocket dimension, David Chen practiced controlling his electromagnetic abilities under Su Chen's guidance.
"Focus," Su Chen instructed as David generated controlled electrical arcs between his palms. "Your power doesn't come from emotion or willpower alone. It's a biological process—specialized cells generating electromagnetic fields through metabolic reactions. Understanding the mechanism gives you control."
David's concentration intensified, and the chaotic lightning stabilized into precise streams of energy that he directed into specially designed capacitors Babata had constructed.
"Better," Su Chen approved. "You're learning to regulate the output rather than simply releasing it. That's the difference between a weapon and a tool."
"Why are you doing this?" David asked, maintaining his focus on the exercise. "Training me, I mean. S.H.I.E.L.D. would have just locked me up or used me. You're actually helping me become better."
"Because enhanced individuals are going to define this era," Su Chen replied. "The question is whether they'll be treated as weapons to be controlled or people to be empowered. I prefer the latter—it creates loyalty, capability, and genuine strength rather than forced compliance."
It was true enough while serving his purposes. David was developing genuine control while also developing loyalty to Su Chen rather than any organization. In time, he'd become a valuable asset—not just for his abilities, but for his connection to other emerging enhanced individuals who would trust someone like them over government agents.
"Master," Babata's voice came through his neural link. "Agent Coulson is calling. Priority communication."
Su Chen excused himself and took the call in his private office. Coulson's holographic projection materialized, his expression showing unusual tension.
"Mr. Su Chen, we have a situation developing in New Mexico. Energy readings consistent with the Tesseract's signature, but different somehow. Director Fury is assembling a response team and requested your presence."
Su Chen's eyes narrowed. New Mexico, energy signatures—this could only be one thing. "Thor. The Bifrost."
Coulson's pause was telling. "How did you—never mind. Can you be at the helicarrier in two hours?"
"One hour," Su Chen corrected. "If this is what I think it is, we don't have time to waste."
After disconnecting, Su Chen immediately contacted his team. "Saeko, Esdeath, Xiao Yi Xian—we're deploying to New Mexico. Asgardian contact is imminent. This is what we've been preparing for."
"The Thunder God," Esdeath's voice carried anticipation. "Finally, a challenge worth testing myself against."
"No," Su Chen commanded sharply. "Thor is not an enemy to be fought unless absolutely necessary. He's a potential ally and a connection to resources we need. Any engagement must be diplomatic first, defensive second, and aggressive only as last resort."
"Understood," Esdeath replied, though her tone suggested disappointment.
"Xiao Yi Xian, remain with the fortress in standby orbit," Su Chen continued. "Monitor all communications and be prepared for rapid extraction if the situation deteriorates. Saeko, Esdeath—you're with me. Babata, compile everything we know about Asgardian capabilities and prepare counter-measures just in case."
One hour later, Su Chen stood on the deck of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s flying aircraft carrier—the Helicarrier, a marvel of engineering that combined conventional technology with reverse-engineered elements from various enhanced sources. Director Fury stood at the command station, coordinating response teams with practiced efficiency.
"Mr. Su Chen," Fury greeted without turning from his displays. "Thank you for responding quickly. What do you know about what we're dealing with?"
"Asgardians," Su Chen stated directly. "The Norse gods, except they're not gods—they're an advanced alien race with technology and abilities that appear magical to less advanced civilizations. The energy signature you detected is from the Bifrost, their method of interstellar travel. Someone has arrived on Earth, and given the timing and location, I suspect it's Thor Odinson, the prince of Asgard."
Fury finally turned to look at him. "You say that like you expected this."
"I expected Asgardian contact eventually," Su Chen replied carefully. "They've been to Earth before—their visits inspired Norse mythology. The Tesseract's activation two weeks ago sent energy signatures across multiple dimensions. It makes sense they'd investigate."
"And if this Prince Thor is hostile?" Fury challenged.
"Then we'll have bigger problems than you're prepared for," Su Chen said bluntly. "Thor is immensely powerful—control over lightning, superhuman strength and durability, combat experience spanning centuries. Direct confrontation would be catastrophic for any conventional force."
"But not for you?" Fury observed.
"I can contain him if necessary," Su Chen confirmed. "But I'd strongly recommend diplomacy first. The Asgardians are potential allies against threats far worse than anything Earth has faced. Antagonizing them would be strategically foolish."
Fury considered this, then nodded. "Alright. You'll be primary contact. Coulson will accompany you with a tactical team, but they're backup only. Try not to start an interstellar incident."
"I'll do my best, Director," Su Chen replied dryly.
The flight to New Mexico took three hours. During that time, Babata provided continuous updates on the situation developing on the ground.
"Master, the Bifrost site is in a remote desert location approximately fifty miles from the nearest town. Local authorities detected the energy discharge and are investigating. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are en route to secure the area."
"Status of the Asgardian?" Su Chen inquired mentally.
"Unknown. The energy signature dispersed after the initial arrival. Either the individual has moved away from the landing site, or they're masking their presence."
The Helicarrier landed at a hastily established S.H.I.E.L.D. base camp. Su Chen disembarked with Saeko and Esdeath, finding organized chaos as agents set up equipment and established perimeters.
Agent Coulson approached, tablet in hand showing satellite imagery. "The Bifrost site is here," he indicated a location on the map. "Massive energy discharge created a distinctive pattern on the ground—geometric symbols that appear to be some kind of arrival marker. We've found no sign of whoever or whatever arrived, but witnesses from a nearby town reported seeing someone matching Thor's description from Norse mythology."
"Witnesses?" Su Chen questioned.
"Three scientists studying atmospheric anomalies—Dr. Erik Selvig, Dr. Jane Foster, and her assistant Darcy Lewis. They accidentally hit someone with their van while investigating the Bifrost site. According to their statement, he was disoriented, extremely strong, and claiming to be Thor of Asgard before they took him to a local hospital."
Su Chen allowed himself a slight smile. Events were unfolding exactly as he'd anticipated from his knowledge of this timeline. "Then that's where we'll find him. Though I suspect he won't remain at a hospital long—Asgardians heal remarkably fast."
They arrived at the small-town hospital to find it in controlled chaos. A man matching Thor's description had indeed been admitted, caused a scene when medical staff tried to sedate him, and then simply left—walking through the front doors after determining he was uninjured and refusing further treatment.
"The doctors said he seemed confused," Coulson reported after interviewing staff. "Disoriented about Earth customs and technology, but not hostile. He kept asking about something called 'Mjolnir' and saying he needed to reclaim his hammer."
"Mjolnir," Su Chen repeated, his Dual Pupils already scanning for unusual energy signatures. "An Asgardian weapon forged from dying star material. Incredibly powerful, and according to legend, only those worthy can lift it. If Thor is searching for his hammer, that means it came through the Bifrost separately."
His silver pupil suddenly locked onto a distinctive energy pattern approximately thirty miles east—a concentration of exotic matter that radiated power consistent with Asgardian technology.
"There," Su Chen pointed. "The hammer landed in that direction. S.H.I.E.L.D. should have detected the impact site—it would have created a significant crater."
Coulson checked his tablet, then his expression shifted. "Confirmed. Impact site detected four hours ago. We established a perimeter and brought in equipment to extract the object, but..." He hesitated.
"But nobody can lift it," Su Chen finished. "Because they're not worthy. Mjolnir has an enchantment placed by Odin, the All-Father of Asgard. Only those who meet specific criteria of worthiness can wield it."
"An enchantment," Coulson repeated skeptically. "You're talking about magic."
"I'm talking about sufficiently advanced technology that interfaces with consciousness and intention," Su Chen corrected. "The distinction is academic. What matters is that Thor will inevitably attempt to reclaim his hammer. When he does, we need to be ready for diplomatic contact."
They arrived at the crater site to find S.H.I.E.L.D. had constructed an entire temporary facility around the impact zone. Hundreds of personnel worked to analyze the hammer, attempt extraction, and monitor for any threats. At the center of it all, surrounded by equipment and frustrated scientists, sat Mjolnir—a hammer that looked deceptively simple but radiated power that Su Chen's enhanced senses could perceive as reality-warping energy.
"We've tried everything," a frustrated scientist reported to Coulson. "Cranes, trucks, even brought in a helicopter. The hammer won't move. It's like it's welded to the Earth itself."
Su Chen approached the hammer, his Dual Pupils analyzing its structure in detail. What he saw was fascinating—Uru metal forged through processes that combined advanced metallurgy with dimensional manipulation, inscribed with runes that created a connection between the weapon and its wielder's consciousness. The worthiness enchantment was elegant in its complexity, a spell that assessed the bearer's intentions, character, and alignment with specific virtues.
"Remarkable," Su Chen murmured. "This isn't just a weapon. It's a tool for shaping reality, powered by the wielder's will and the weapon's accumulated energy. Thor channeling lightning through this would be devastating."
He reached out, his hand hovering just above the hammer's surface. He could feel the enchantment assessing him, judging his worthiness according to Odin's criteria. For a moment, Su Chen considered attempting to lift it—his Formation Arrangement cultivation combined with the principles he'd learned from multiple universes might allow him to bypass or overpower the enchantment.
But that would reveal far too much about his capabilities and create diplomatic complications. Better to leave Mjolnir for Thor and position himself as someone who understood and respected Asgardian customs.
"Master," Babata's voice carried warning. "I'm detecting incoming. Single individual approaching the perimeter at high speed. Energy signature consistent with enhanced physiology."
"Thor," Su Chen identified. "He's coming for his hammer."
Su Chen stepped away from Mjolnir and moved to intercept. "Agent Coulson, tell your people to fall back. Don't attempt to stop him. Let Thor reach the hammer."
"Director Fury ordered us to contain any enhanced individuals attempting to breach the perimeter," Coulson protested.
"Your people can't contain Thor," Su Chen stated flatly. "Attempting to will only result in injuries and antagonize a potential ally. Fall back, let him attempt to lift the hammer, and then I'll make diplomatic contact."
Coulson hesitated, then made the call. S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel withdrew to observation positions as Thor approached.
The Asgardian prince was impressive even without his divine regalia. Tall, powerfully built, moving with the confidence of someone accustomed to being the strongest person in any room. He wore civilian clothing that looked wrong on him—like a warrior forced into a costume. His eyes scanned the facility with tactical awareness, identifying threats and calculating approaches.
When Thor's eyes locked onto Mjolnir, his expression transformed—hope, determination, and desperate need all visible in that moment.
He walked directly toward the hammer, ignoring the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and equipment. When he reached it, Thor grasped the handle with both hands and pulled.
Nothing happened.
Thor strained, his enhanced muscles bulging with effort, his face contorted with exertion. But Mjolnir remained immovable, as if the enchantment itself was rejecting him.
"No," Thor whispered, then louder, "No! I am Thor, son of Odin! I am worthy!"
He pulled harder, desperation evident as he realized the weapon wouldn't respond. Finally, exhausted and defeated, Thor fell to his knees before the hammer, the weight of whatever had happened to him crushing down.
Su Chen approached slowly, his hands visible and non-threatening. "Thor Odinson," he called out clearly. "Prince of Asgard, God of Thunder. I mean you no harm."
Thor's head snapped up, eyes blazing with barely controlled emotion. "Who are you to speak my name, mortal?"
"My name is Su Chen. I'm a consultant to the organization that's currently studying your hammer. I understand you've experienced significant displacement—sent to Midgard against your will, separated from your power, unable to reclaim your weapon." Su Chen stopped a respectful distance away. "I also understand that you're not our enemy, and this situation can be resolved peacefully."
"Peacefully," Thor laughed bitterly. "I am stripped of my power, exiled by my own father, and denied even Mjolnir's comfort. There is no peace in this."
"There's explanation," Su Chen countered. "And possibly assistance, if you're willing to talk rather than fight. Your father didn't exile you without reason, Thor. The question is whether you understand why, and whether you're willing to learn from it."
Thor's eyes narrowed, assessing Su Chen with renewed interest. "You speak as if you know the All-Father's mind."
"I speak as someone who's seen leaders make difficult decisions to teach necessary lessons," Su Chen replied. "Will you talk with me, Prince Thor? Or would you prefer to continue attempting to lift a hammer that your father's enchantment currently denies you?"
For a long moment, Thor remained kneeling, pride warring with pragmatism. Finally, he stood, his posture that of a warrior who'd accepted temporary defeat but not surrender.
"I will talk," Thor agreed. "But speak false or betray me, mortal, and you'll learn why I was called the God of Thunder."
Su Chen inclined his head in acknowledgment. "Fair enough. Come—let's discuss this somewhere more private than a S.H.I.E.L.D. construction site."
As they walked away from Mjolnir, Coulson's voice came through Su Chen's communication device. "What just happened? He just... gave up?"
"No," Su Chen replied quietly. "He accepted reality. There's a difference. And now we have the opportunity to recruit one of the most powerful beings in this universe as an ally. I'd call that a successful diplomatic contact."
Thor followed Su Chen toward the facility's conference area, and despite the defeat he'd just experienced, the Asgardian carried himself with dignity that spoke of centuries of noble bearing.
The harvest continued, and now it included gods.