Destroyer Through The Multiverse Ch 30

Tatsuya grunted as he and Thor half-carried, half-dragged Erik Selvig towards Jane's van. The older man's feet dragged on the ground, kicking up small clouds of dust in the cool night air. Selvig mumbled incoherently, his words slurred beyond recognition.

"Easy there, my friend," Thor said, adjusting his grip on Selvig's arm.

Tatsuya glanced at Thor, impressed by the fallen god's strength even in his mortal form. The streetlights cast long shadows as they approached the van, where Jane Foster stood waiting, her arms crossed.

As they drew closer, Tatsuya saw Jane's eyes widen in recognition. She took a step back, her gaze fixed on him.

"You," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and anger. "You're one of them. The SHIELD agents who took my research."

Tatsuya felt a twinge of guilt. He'd hoped to avoid this confrontation, at least for now. He opened his mouth to respond, but Selvig chose that moment to lurch forward, nearly slipping from their grasp.

"Whoa there," Tatsuya said, tightening his hold on the drunk scientist.

Jane's eyes narrowed, but she moved to help, opening the van's side door. "Get him in here," she said, her tone clipped.

Together, they maneuvered Selvig into the van. The older man flopped onto the seat, mumbling something about rainbow bridges and bifrost. Jane shut the door and turned to face Tatsuya, her stance confrontational.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "Come to take more of my work?"

Tatsuya raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not here on official business, Dr. Foster. I was just helping Thor get Dr. Selvig back safely."

Jane's gaze flickered to Thor, who stood awkwardly to the side, before returning to Tatsuya. She seemed to be weighing her options, deciding whether to believe him or not.

"It's true, Jane," Thor interjected. "Tatsuya has been... a friend. He helped when Erik became too... enthusiastic with his drinks."

Tatsuya nodded, grateful for Thor's support. He could see the conflict in Jane's eyes, her distrust of SHIELD warring with her apparent trust in Thor.

Tatsuya watched as Jane's expression softened slightly. She uncrossed her arms, her shoulders relaxing a fraction.

"Fine," she said, her tone still wary. "But I want answers. Why did SHIELD take my research?"

Tatsuya hesitated. He knew the real reason, but revealing it would compromise his position. He settled for a partial truth.

"SHIELD believes your work might be connected to some... unusual events," he said carefully. "I can't say more than that."

Jane's eyes lit up with curiosity, despite her lingering suspicion. "What kind of events?"

Before Tatsuya could respond, Thor stepped forward. "Jane, perhaps this conversation would be better had in the morning. When we're all... clearer of mind."

Tatsuya shot Thor a grateful look. The fallen god might not have his powers, but he still possessed a diplomatic touch.

Jane sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You're right. It's late, and we need to get Erik home."

As Jane climbed into the driver's seat, Thor turned to Tatsuya. "Will you be alright getting back to your lodgings?"

Tatsuya nodded, patting the pocket where he kept his Decadriver. "I'll manage. Take care of your friends, Thor."

As the van pulled away, Tatsuya stood alone in the empty street. He pulled out his camera, snapping a photo of the retreating vehicle. The image developed, showing the van distorted and blurry, a reminder of his displacement in this world.

Tatsuya pocketed the photo and began walking. His mind raced with the events of the night. Thor's story of Asgard and his fall from grace seemed fantastical, yet Tatsuya knew better than most that reality often defied common expectations.

He thought about Jane Foster and her determination to uncover the truth. Her passion reminded him of his own quest, the reason he traveled between worlds. There was more to this situation than SHIELD knew, he was certain of it.

...

The next day, Tatsuya approached the lab, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. He pushed open the door, finding Thor, Jane, Selvig, and Darcy huddled around a makeshift workstation. The room felt bare without SHIELD's confiscated equipment.

Thor looked up, his face brightening. "Ah, Tatsuya! Join us, my friend."

Tatsuya nodded, moving closer. Jane eyed him warily, her earlier suspicion still evident. Selvig nursed a cup of coffee, looking worse for wear after last night's drinking. Darcy fiddled with her phone, seemingly uninterested in the newcomer.

"What brings you here?" Thor asked.

Tatsuya hesitated, weighing his words. "I wanted to check on you, after last night. And... I thought I might be able to help."

Jane's eyebrows shot up. "Help? How? By taking more of our research?"

Tatsuya felt a pang of guilt. He met Jane's gaze steadily. "No. I'm here as... a friend. If you'll have me."

Thor clapped a hand on Tatsuya's shoulder. "Of course! Any friend of mine is welcome here."

Selvig groaned, rubbing his temples. "Not so loud, please."

Darcy snickered, finally looking up from her phone. "Maybe lay off the drinking next time, old man."

Tatsuya glanced around the room, taking in the scattered papers and hastily scribbled notes. "What are you working on?"

Jane hesitated, then sighed. "We're trying to make sense of the atmospheric anomalies we recorded before... before SHIELD took everything."

Tatsuya nodded, moving closer to examine their work. He recognized some of the patterns from his own interdimensional travels. "These energy signatures... they're similar to something I've seen before."

Jane's eyes widened. "You have? Where?"

Tatsuya paused, realizing he'd said too much. He couldn't reveal his true nature, not yet. "It's... complicated. But I might be able to help interpret some of this data."

Thor looked at him curiously. "You have knowledge of such things?"

Tatsuya shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I've picked up a few things in my travels."

Jane still seemed skeptical, but her scientific curiosity was winning out. "Alright. Show us what you've got."

Tatsuya leaned over the workstation, his eyes scanning the scattered papers and hastily scrawled equations. The familiar patterns of interdimensional energy signatures jumped out at him, reminding him of his own journeys across worlds. He felt a twinge of nostalgia, quickly pushed aside as he focused on the task at hand.

"These readings," he said, pointing to a series of wave-like patterns, "they're indicative of a bridge between realms. Similar to what I've... encountered before."

Jane's eyes widened with interest. "A bridge? Like an Einstein-Rosen bridge?"

Tatsuya nodded, careful not to reveal too much. "Something like that. The energy spikes here and here suggest a massive transfer of matter and energy."

Thor leaned in, his brow furrowed. "Could this be the Bifrost?"

"Bifrost?" Tatsuya asked, feigning ignorance.

"The rainbow bridge," Thor explained. "It connects Asgard to the other realms."

Tatsuya felt a surge of excitement. This aligned perfectly with his own experiences, but he had to play it cool. "Interesting. If that's the case, these readings could help us understand how it works."

Jane grabbed a marker, scribbling furiously on a nearby whiteboard. "If we can recreate these conditions, we might be able to open a portal ourselves!"

Tatsuya watched her work, admiring her enthusiasm. He glanced at Thor, noticing the fond look in the Asgardian's eyes as he watched Jane. There was something there, a connection forming between them.

Selvig groaned, massaging his temples. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still don't have most of our equipment."

Darcy piped up, "Yeah, thanks to the Men in Black over there." She jerked her thumb at Tatsuya.

He felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't have a choice in the matter."

Jane turned to him, her expression softening slightly. "Why are you helping us now? Won't you get in trouble with SHIELD?"

Tatsuya shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Sometimes doing the right thing means breaking a few rules."

Thor clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him over. "Well said, my friend! You have the heart of a true warrior."

Tatsuya smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest.

Tatsuya watched as Jane and Selvig continued their calculations, their excitement palpable. He turned to Thor, who stood apart from the group, his eyes distant.

"Thor," Tatsuya said softly, moving closer to the Asgardian. "Can we talk?"

Thor nodded, following Tatsuya to a quiet corner of the lab. Tatsuya could see the weight of his banishment in the slump of Thor's shoulders.

"You were sent here for a reason," Tatsuya began, choosing his words carefully. "I want to help you understand why."

Thor's eyes met Tatsuya's, a mix of hope and wariness in their blue depths. "You believe you can aid me in this?"

Tatsuya nodded. "I've... traveled a lot. Seen things that most people wouldn't believe. I think I might have some insight into your situation."

Thor considered this, his brow furrowed. "My father cast me out. Said I was unworthy. How can you help me understand that?"

Tatsuya felt a pang of empathy. He knew what it was like to feel lost, to question one's place in the world. "Sometimes, we need to lose everything to understand what truly matters. Your father might have sent you here to learn something important."

Thor's expression softened. "You speak with wisdom beyond your years, Tatsuya. What do you think I need to learn?"

Tatsuya glanced at Jane, still absorbed in her work. "Maybe it's about understanding the value of human life. Of humility. Of seeing the world from a different perspective."

Thor followed Tatsuya's gaze, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Perhaps you're right. These mortals... they're more resilient than I gave them credit for."

Tatsuya nodded, feeling a connection with Thor. Both of them were outsiders, trying to find their place. "I can help you navigate this world, Thor. Help you understand what you need to learn to return home."

Thor clasped Tatsuya's shoulder, his grip firm but grateful. "Thank you, my friend. I would be honored to accept your guidance."

Tatsuya led Thor through the dusty streets of Puente Antiguo, the morning sun already beating down on them. He glanced at the Asgardian, noting the mix of curiosity and uncertainty in his eyes.

"First step in understanding this world," Tatsuya said, "is to live in it. To work like the people here do."

Thor nodded, his face set with determination. "I am ready for any challenge, my friend."

They approached a small diner, its neon sign flickering weakly in the daylight. Tatsuya pushed open the door, a bell jingling above them.

Inside, the air smelled of coffee and grease. A harried-looking waitress rushed past them, balancing plates on her arms.

"Isabelle," Tatsuya called out to the woman behind the counter. "Got room for two more helpers?"

Isabelle looked up, her eyes widening as she took in Thor's imposing figure. "You vouching for this guy, Tatsuya?"

Tatsuya nodded. "He's new in town. Needs to learn the ropes."

Isabelle sighed, then tossed them both aprons. "Alright. Thor, you're on dishes. Tatsuya, bus tables."

Thor fumbled with the apron strings, his large hands unused to such delicate work. Tatsuya helped him tie it, suppressing a smile.

For the next few hours, Tatsuya watched Thor struggle with the mundane tasks of diner work. The Asgardian's strength, so useful in battle, proved a hindrance when handling fragile plates and glasses. More than once, Tatsuya heard the crash of broken dishes followed by Thor's booming apologies.

As the lunch rush died down, Tatsuya found Thor in the alley behind the diner, wrestling with overflowing garbage bags.

"These Midgardian waste containers are most frustrating," Thor grumbled, trying to tie off a bag.

Tatsuya chuckled, moving to help. "It's not about strength, Thor. It's about technique."

He demonstrated how to properly close the bag, then hefted it into the dumpster. Thor watched, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"I see," Thor said, mimicking Tatsuya's movements with the next bag. "There is much to learn in these simple tasks."

Tatsuya nodded, feeling a sense of satisfaction as he watched Thor master the mundane chore. "That's the point. Every job, no matter how small, has value. It's about contributing to the community, making life a little easier for others."

Thor paused, looking at Tatsuya with newfound respect. "You are wise beyond your years, my friend. I begin to see why my father might have sent me here."

As they finished with the garbage, Isabelle poked her head out the back door. "When you boys are done, there's a sink full of dishes waiting."

Thor's shoulders slumped slightly, but he squared them again, a determined look in his eye. "We shall conquer these dishes as we did the garbage, Tatsuya."

Tatsuya laughed, clapping Thor on the back as they headed inside. "That's the spirit. One plate at a time, my friend. One plate at a time."

Tatsuya watched as Thor wiped sweat from his brow, his once-regal hands now red and pruned from hours of dishwashing. The diner's kitchen was quiet, the last of the dinner rush long gone. Isabelle had left them to close up, trusting Tatsuya's judgment of the strange newcomer.

"Well done," Tatsuya said, handing Thor a clean rag to dry his hands. "You've mastered the art of dish warfare."

Thor chuckled, his laugh deep and hearty despite his obvious exhaustion. "A battle unlike any I've faced before, my friend. But one I'm proud to have won."

As they finished cleaning, Tatsuya couldn't help but admire Thor's determination. The fallen god had thrown himself into every task, no matter how menial, with the same gusto he'd likely shown in combat.

They stepped out into the cool night air, the street quiet save for the distant bark of a dog. Tatsuya spotted a bench nearby and nodded towards it. "Care to rest a moment?"

Thor nodded gratefully, and they made their way to the bench. As they sat, Tatsuya felt the day's fatigue settle into his bones. He glanced at Thor, noticing the Asgardian's gaze fixed on the star-filled sky above.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Tatsuya said softly.

Thor nodded, his eyes never leaving the heavens. "It is. Though it looks... different from here."

Tatsuya leaned back, following Thor's gaze. "Tell me about it. About Asgard."

Thor was quiet for a moment, his expression distant. When he spoke, his voice was filled with a mix of longing and pride.

"Asgard... it's a realm eternal. Golden spires that reach to the sky, bridges of rainbow light that span impossible distances. The palace of Odin, my father, stands at the heart of it all, a beacon of hope and strength for all the Nine Realms."

Tatsuya listened, captivated by the vivid imagery. He could almost see it in his mind's eye, a world of magic and wonder beyond anything Earth could offer.

Thor continued, his voice growing animated. "There are feasts that last for days, with mead that never runs dry and tables groaning under the weight of wild boar and exotic fruits. Warriors train in courtyards of polished stone, their weapons singing as they clash in friendly combat."

He paused, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "And the adventures... oh, the adventures we would have. Battling frost giants in the frozen wastes of Jotunheim, hunting bilgesnipe through dense forests, sailing the cosmos in longships powered by magic and starlight."

Tatsuya found himself leaning forward, drawn in by Thor's tales. "It sounds incredible," he said softly.

Thor nodded, his smile fading slightly. "It is. Or... it was. Now, it feels like a dream. A life that belonged to someone else."

Tatsuya felt a pang of empathy. He knew what it was like to feel displaced, to long for a home that seemed out of reach. "You'll find your way back," he said, hoping his words carried the conviction he felt.

Thor turned to him, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Your faith in me is appreciated, my friend. But I fear I have much to learn before I can return."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the stars twinkling above them. Tatsuya's mind wandered, imagining the golden halls of Asgard and the adventures Thor had described. It reminded him of his own journeys across dimensions, the wonders he'd seen and the challenges he'd faced.

"Tell me more," Tatsuya said finally. "About your family, your friends in Asgard."

Thor's face lit up, and he launched into tales of his childhood, of mischievous adventures with his brother Loki, of learning the ways of combat from his father Odin. He spoke of his mother Frigga's wisdom and kindness, of the loyalty of his friends the Warriors Three and Lady Sif.

As Thor talked, Tatsuya found himself drawing parallels between their experiences. Both of them were far from home, navigating unfamiliar worlds. But where Tatsuya had chosen his path, Thor's had been forced upon him. Yet here they were, finding common ground on a small bench in a dusty New Mexico town.

The night grew deeper, and Thor's stories began to wind down. Tatsuya could see the fatigue in the Asgardian's eyes, mirroring his own exhaustion.

"We should get some rest," Tatsuya said, standing and stretching. "Tomorrow brings new challenges."

Thor nodded, rising to his feet with a groan. "Indeed. Though I must admit, I look forward to them. There is much to learn in this realm of yours, Tatsuya."

As they walked back towards Jane's lab, Tatsuya felt a sense of purpose settling over him. He was helping Thor find his way, yes, but in doing so, he was also finding a bit of himself. In this strange, displaced god, Tatsuya had found a kindred spirit, someone who understood what it meant to be caught between worlds.