Destroyer Through The Multiverse Ch 27

Tatsuya watched as SHIELD agents ushered the last of the civilians away from the crater. The excited chatter of the crowd faded, replaced by the purposeful movements of agents and scientists setting up equipment around the hammer.

He stood at the edge of the crater, observing the organized chaos below. Portable lights flickered to life, illuminating the hammer in harsh white light. The metal gleamed, untarnished despite its violent arrival.

Coulson appeared at his side. "Impressive, isn't it?"

Tatsuya nodded. "I've seen some strange things, but this..." He trailed off, unsure how to describe the mixture of fascination and unease he felt.

They made their way down into the crater, careful not to disturb the scientists already at work. A woman in a lab coat passed a handheld device over the hammer, frowning at the readings.

"Anything?" Coulson asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing we can make sense of, sir. The energy readings are off the charts, but they don't match anything in our database."

Tatsuya crouched near the hammer, careful not to touch it. Up close, he could see intricate engravings on its surface. They looked like no language he'd ever encountered.

"What do you think, Kadoya?" Coulson asked. "Any theories?"

Tatsuya stood, brushing dust from his pants. "It's not from Earth, that's for sure. The design, the material... it's like nothing I've ever seen."

"Agreed," Coulson said. "But where did it come from? And why here?"

They watched as another scientist attempted to take a sample from the hammer's surface. The drill bit snapped off as soon as it made contact.

"It's indestructible," the scientist reported, sounding both frustrated and excited.

Tatsuya's mind raced with possibilities. "Could it be some kind of alien technology? A weapon, maybe?"

Coulson shrugged. "Possible. But why leave it here? And why can no one lift it?"

As if on cue, two agents attempted to move the hammer with a hydraulic lift. The machine groaned under the strain, but the hammer didn't budge.

"It's like it's deciding who's worthy," Tatsuya mused. He immediately felt foolish for saying it out loud, but Coulson didn't dismiss the idea.

"That's an interesting thought," Coulson said. "Almost like something out of mythology."

They fell silent, watching the scientists work. Tatsuya couldn't shake the feeling that they were dealing with something beyond their understanding. As a Kamen Rider, he was used to strange phenomena, but this felt different. More ancient. More powerful.

Tatsuya stood beside Coulson, watching the SHIELD scientists work tirelessly around the hammer. Days had passed, but they were no closer to understanding its origins or purpose. The air hummed with a mix of frustration and excitement.

Coulson's phone buzzed. He answered, his expression shifting from curiosity to determination as he listened. Hanging up, he turned to Tatsuya.

"We've got a lead," Coulson said. "An astrophysicist named Jane Foster. She's been studying atmospheric anomalies in the area. Might be connected to our hammer friend here."

Tatsuya nodded, glad for a change of scenery. "What's the plan?"

"We're going to pay Dr. Foster a visit," Coulson replied, his tone neutral. "And... appropriate her research."

Tatsuya raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He'd been with SHIELD long enough to know that sometimes, the ends justified the means.

...

Tatsuya followed Coulson into Jane Foster's lab, his eyes scanning the chaos unfolding before them. SHIELD agents swarmed the space, methodically boxing up equipment and data drives. The lab, once a haven of scientific pursuit, now resembled a crime scene.

He watched as an agent carefully packed away a stack of notebooks, each page potentially holding crucial information about the hammer. Another agent dismantled a complex-looking machine, its purpose a mystery to Tatsuya.

"They're thorough," Tatsuya muttered to Coulson.

Coulson nodded. "We have to be. Can't risk missing anything."

A commotion at the door drew their attention. A woman burst in, her face a mix of shock and anger. Behind her, an older man with graying hair and a younger woman with glasses rushed to keep up.

"What the hell is going on here?" the first woman demanded, her voice sharp with indignation.

Tatsuya glanced at Coulson, recognizing the set of his jaw. This was the moment they'd prepared for.

Coulson stepped forward, his demeanor calm and professional. "Dr. Foster, I presume?"

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Yes, and you are?"

"Agent Coulson, with SHIELD." He gestured to Tatsuya. "This is Agent Kadoya."

Tatsuya nodded in greeting, but Jane's attention remained fixed on Coulson.

"SHIELD? What gives you the right to come in here and take my stuff?"

The older man placed a hand on Jane's shoulder. "Jane, maybe we should-"

"No, Erik," Jane cut him off. "I want answers."

Coulson maintained his composure. "Dr. Foster, we're here because your research has become a matter of national security."

Jane scoffed. "National security? It's atmospheric data!"

"It's much more than that," Coulson replied. "And I'm afraid we'll need to confiscate all of it."

The younger woman piped up. "Even my iPod?"

Coulson glanced at her. "All electronic devices, yes."

Tatsuya watched as Jane's face cycled through emotions - anger, disbelief, and finally, a hint of fear.

"You can't do this," she said, her voice quieter now. "This is my life's work."

Coulson's expression softened slightly. "I understand, Dr. Foster. But I assure you, this is necessary. We'll compensate you for your equipment."

Jane laughed bitterly. "Compensate me? You're stealing my research!"

Tatsuya felt a twinge of sympathy. He knew what it was like to have your world turned upside down in an instant. But he also knew the importance of their mission.

As Coulson continued to explain the situation to Jane, Tatsuya observed the other two. Erik looked worried, his eyes darting between Jane and the SHIELD agents. The younger woman - Darcy, Tatsuya assumed - seemed more annoyed than anything else.

Tatsuya watched as Coulson finished his conversation with Jane Foster. The astrophysicist's shoulders slumped in defeat, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and despair. As they walked away from the now-empty lab, Tatsuya felt a twinge of guilt in his chest.

"We were pretty heartless back there," Tatsuya said, his voice low. "Taking her research like that. It was her entire life's work."

Coulson sighed, his usual composure slipping for a moment. "I know. But we didn't have a choice. The potential implications of her findings are too significant to ignore."

Tatsuya nodded, understanding the logic but still uncomfortable with the execution. He glanced back at the lab, where Jane and her colleagues stood amid the wreckage of their work.

"I think I'll stay and keep an eye on her for a while," Tatsuya said, surprising himself with the decision. "Who knows? She might discover something even without her equipment."

Coulson raised an eyebrow but didn't object. "Alright. Keep me updated if anything comes up."

As Coulson walked away, Tatsuya turned back towards the lab. He didn't approach Jane directly but instead found a spot where he could observe from a distance. He leaned against a nearby building, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the lab.

Jane and her team eventually emerged, their faces etched with frustration and determination. Tatsuya watched as they huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. He couldn't hear their words, but their body language spoke volumes. Jane gestured animatedly, her passion evident even in defeat.

As the day wore on, Tatsuya maintained his vigil. He saw Jane and her friends move equipment into a van, likely salvaging what little SHIELD had left behind. He noticed the older man - Erik, if he remembered correctly - trying to calm Jane down, while the younger woman, Darcy, seemed to oscillate between concern and boredom.

Tatsuya's mind wandered to his own experiences, the times he'd felt powerless in the face of greater forces. He understood Jane's frustration all too well. Yet, he also knew the importance of SHIELD's mission. The balance between individual rights and global security was a delicate one, and he found himself caught in the middle once again.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the dusty New Mexico landscape, Tatsuya saw Jane emerge from the lab one last time. She stood there, staring up at the sky, her face a mixture of defiance and wonder. In that moment, Tatsuya realized that despite everything that had happened, her passion for the unknown remained undiminished.

He decided to maintain his watch, curious to see what Jane Foster would do next, even without her life's work at her fingertips.

Tatsuya Kadoya leaned against a dusty building, his eyes fixed on Jane Foster's van. The sun beat down mercilessly, but he barely noticed the heat. His attention was focused entirely on the astrophysicist and her team.

He watched as Erik and Darcy left the van, heading towards the local library. Jane remained behind, fidgeting in her seat. Tatsuya could sense her restlessness from across the street.

Hours passed. Tatsuya maintained his vigil, occasionally shifting his weight to keep his legs from cramping. Just as he was considering calling it a day, movement caught his eye.

A man with long blond hair stumbled into view. Tatsuya straightened, his interest piqued. The stranger's muscular build and confident stride stood out in the small town.

To Tatsuya's surprise, Jane's demeanor changed instantly. She jumped out of the van, her face lighting up with recognition. The two spoke briefly, their body language suggesting familiarity.

Jane gestured to her van, clearly offering the man a ride. He accepted, climbing into the passenger seat with ease.

Tatsuya frowned. This was an unexpected development. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small device he'd received from SHIELD. A listening bug.

Moving quickly but casually, Tatsuya approached the van. He pretended to stumble, using the moment to plant the bug on the vehicle's underside. As he regained his footing, he caught a glimpse of Jane and the stranger through the window. They were deep in conversation, oblivious to his presence.

The van's engine roared to life. Tatsuya retreated, watching as it pulled away from the curb. He waited until it was halfway down the street before making his move.

With practiced ease, Tatsuya summoned the Machine Decader. The sleek motorcycle materialized beside him, its engine purring softly. He swung his leg over the seat, revving the engine.

As he followed Jane's van at a discreet distance, Tatsuya activated the bug's receiver. The voices of Jane and the mysterious man filled his helmet.

Tatsuya kept a safe distance behind Jane's van as it wound through the dusty streets of Puente Antiguo. The listening device crackled to life, and he adjusted the volume in his helmet.

"Thank you for bringing me here," a deep, masculine voice said. Tatsuya assumed it belonged to the blond stranger.

"Well, you promised me answers," Jane replied, her tone a mix of excitement and skepticism. "And I'm not letting you out of my sight until I get them."

The man chuckled. "Fair enough. What would you like to know?"

Tatsuya leaned forward on his bike, straining to hear every word. This could be the breakthrough they needed.

"Let's start with who you are," Jane said. "And I mean really who you are. Not just 'Thor,' because that can't be your real name."

There was a pause, and Tatsuya could almost feel the tension through the audio feed.

"But it is my name," the man - Thor - insisted. "I am Thor Odinson, of Asgard."

Tatsuya frowned. Asgard? He'd never heard of such a place.

Jane's voice dripped with skepticism. "Asgard? As in the realm of the Norse gods?"

"Precisely," Thor replied, sounding pleased. "You're familiar with it?"

"I'm familiar with the myths," Jane said. "But that's all they are - myths. You can't seriously expect me to believe you're the actual Thor from Norse mythology."

Tatsuya found himself nodding in agreement with Jane's disbelief. Yet, something about the stranger's confidence gave him pause. He'd seen enough strange things in his travels across dimensions to know that sometimes, the impossible was merely improbable.

"I understand your skepticism," Thor said, his voice patient. "But I assure you, I am who I claim to be. The stories you know as myths are based on truths, albeit somewhat distorted over time."

Jane's sigh came through clearly. "Okay, let's say for a moment I believe you. That still doesn't explain how you got here or why you're here."

"I was banished," Thor admitted, a note of shame in his voice. "Cast out of Asgard by my father, Odin."

Tatsuya's eyebrows shot up. If this man was telling the truth, it could explain the strange atmospheric disturbances they'd been tracking.

"Banished?" Jane echoed. "Is that why you fell from the sky? The anomaly I recorded?"

"Yes," Thor confirmed. "The Bifrost - the rainbow bridge that connects Asgard to other realms - brought me here."

Tatsuya's mind raced. A bridge between realms? It sounded similar to his own ability to travel between dimensions. Could there be a connection?

"And the hammer?" Jane pressed. "The one SHIELD confiscated from the crater site. Is it yours?"

There was a heavy pause before Thor answered. "Mjolnir. Yes, it is mine. And I plan to get it back."

Tatsuya listened intently as Jane's voice crackled through his helmet.

"And how exactly do you plan on getting Mjolnir back?" she asked, her tone skeptical.

Thor's response came without hesitation. "I shall simply walk in and claim it."

Tatsuya nearly lost control of his bike. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The man's confidence was either admirable or completely misplaced.

Jane's reaction mirrored Tatsuya's thoughts. "Are you insane?" she exclaimed. "That place is crawling with SHIELD agents. You can't just waltz in there!"

"Why not?" Thor replied, sounding genuinely confused. "It is my hammer. I have every right to take it."

Tatsuya shook his head in disbelief. This Thor, if he really was who he claimed to be, seemed to have no concept of modern security measures.

"Because," Jane explained, her voice strained with frustration, "they've set up a whole facility around it. There are guards, fences, probably a ton of high-tech security systems. You'll be arrested before you even get close!"

Thor chuckled, the sound rich with amusement. "Your concern is touching, Jane, but unnecessary. I have faced far greater challenges than a few mortal guards."

Tatsuya could almost hear Jane's eye-roll. "This is ridiculous," she muttered. "You're going to get yourself killed."

As the van continued down the road, Tatsuya made a quick decision. He needed to see how this would play out. If Thor really was some kind of otherworldly being, his attempt to retrieve the hammer could provide valuable information.

Tatsuya slowed his bike, allowing more distance between himself and the van. He didn't want to risk being spotted. As they approached the outskirts of town, he noticed the SHIELD facility looming in the distance.

His mind raced, considering the possibilities. Should he alert Coulson? Or wait and see what happened? In the end, curiosity won out. Tatsuya decided to hang back and observe. Whatever was about to unfold, he had a feeling it would be unlike anything he'd seen before.