When Dragon Balls Descend Upon Marvel

Coulson's voice was calm as he said,

"I'm sure you can make another one."

Jane Foster, however, was like a cornered tiger.

"I'll sue you for violating my constitutional rights!"

Seeing her agitation, Coulson tried to explain,

"I'm sorry, Ms. Foster, but we're the good guys."

"So are we! I'm this close to figuring out those strange events. Every bit of knowledge I have on this phenomenon is in my lab and in this notebook. You can't just take them away."

As she spoke, Jane raised the notebook in her hand.

A nearby agent, hearing her, promptly snatched the notebook from her grasp and carried it off to be loaded into a vehicle.

Jane made a move to protest, but the professor beside her held her back. Coulson, meanwhile, gave a smug "Thanks for your cooperation" before climbing into a car and leaving with all of her belongings.

Jane complained bitterly that years of research had been taken — backups, and backups of backups — and demanded to know who these people really were.

The professor at her side finally spoke up.

"I knew a scientist once, a pioneer in gamma ray research. After they came for him, I never heard from him again. Not even I could contact him." (Dr. Banner)

Hearing this, the three of them exchanged uneasy glances. Jane asked in disbelief, "They wouldn't do that to me, would they?"

Dr. Erik Selvig replied that he had some friends who might be able to find out more.

…

Elsewhere.

After sparring with Tony Stark, Smith Dole and Ivan Vanko returned to their base.

Vanko had developed a great interest in adamantium, but upon learning it cost $100,000 per gram, he could only shake his head. Such a material was far beyond his current means — even gold-titanium alloy wasn't something he could afford to use across all his designs.

With no other choice, he buried himself in the lab, focusing on developing laser-based weaponry instead. As for adamantium, maybe after the company had run for a few more years, he could try to buy some from General Ross.

Smith, on the other hand, threw himself into training in the gravity chamber. With secondary adamantium already in play, it was only a matter of time before Tony got his hands on real adamantium. If Smith didn't improve his strength, there would come a day when he couldn't even tear apart Tony's armor.

As for Tony, the loser of the match, he was troubled as well. If even "adamantium" couldn't withstand Smith's attacks, what metal could? Smith hadn't told him it was only secondary adamantium, leaving Tony to stew over it.

Even so, he had won overwhelmingly against Vanko, and the Russian's idea of remote support and controlling other armors gave him inspiration. Perhaps he could try that himself.

…

Mexico.

On their way back, Jane spotted Thor buying food at a pet store. She was still angry with Coulson's team and decided to cause them some trouble, while also helping the man she had accidentally hit with her car twice.

That night, she brought Thor to the vicinity of the camp where Mjolnir was kept.

By now, the site was completely sealed off. Within less than a day, S.H.I.E.L.D. had locked down the area, set up perimeter fencing, and begun their research.

Seeing Mjolnir so close filled Thor with hope. The hammer was his weapon — once he held it, his strength would return, and he could go back to Asgard, back to his father's side.

Thor infiltrated the site, knocking down every agent who tried to stop him.

Hearing of the intrusion, Coulson was intrigued. Thinking this man might know something about the hammer, he ordered,

"No firearms."

Hawkeye took up a high position, drawing his bow and aiming, awaiting Coulson's command.

"Say the word, sir. He's almost at the hammer."

"Last chance, sir."

Coulson's eyes stayed on the monitor.

"I want to see if he can lift it. Also, Barton — use the battle power scanner. See if he's one of the special cases."

Following orders, Barton locked on to Thor and scanned.

"Ten."

"Sir, battle power reads ten — definitely superhuman."

Coulson nodded. No wonder he could take down agents with near-eight battle power so easily.

"Wait, that's odd… it's dropping. He's at 9.9 now."

Thor reached the hammer, smiling faintly. But when he grasped the handle, he couldn't lift it. After several tries, he roared in frustration and sank to his knees before it, his eyes losing their light.

He knew — until his father forgave him, he would never wield Mjolnir again.

Coulson spoke into his radio.

"Show's over. Move in."

This time, Thor didn't resist as S.H.I.E.L.D. agents took him into custody and locked him in a room.

Facing the blond giant, Coulson said,

"You took down some of the best-trained professionals we have, and your battle power is ten — clearly, you're no ordinary man."

Checking his scanner again, Coulson frowned.

"Now it's 9.6… your power's dropping. Your physical ability is degrading. I wonder if you've noticed."

Thor looked up in surprise. This man knew? Since being banished, his strength had been fading every moment — but after failing to lift the hammer, he had no will to speak.

Coulson's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, then told Thor, "We'll get what we came for," and left.

After he was gone, Loki appeared before Thor. Through magic, no one but Thor could see him, and the cameras showed nothing.

"Why are you here?" Thor asked.

Loki spun his tale — their father was dead, their mother refused to see Thor, and he had been banished here forever. Guilt crushed Thor, and he abandoned all thought of returning.

After misleading his brother, Loki tried lifting Mjolnir himself, but failed. Sighing, he knew this was his father's gift to Thor alone, and returned to Asgard.

(End of Chapter)

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