[sup][h1][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/552541122153414703/972603962672939098/Thor.png[/img] [b][color=black][i] O L D F R I E N D S[/i][/color] [color=yellow][i]O L D F R I E N D S[/i][/color] [/b][/center][/h1][/sup] [b][right]FIVE YEARS AGO // ALASKA[/right][/b] [quote=Previously] Thor puffed out his chest slightly. [color=6ecff6][b]"I will return you to your home, free. On my word as God of Thunder, you will no longer be an outcast."[/b][/color] Screwbeard smirked. [color=00a99d]"It's a start."[/color][/quote] The stench was enough to try and encourage Thor's innards to regurgitate the days meals as he stood at the edge of the canyon. He reached back and grabbed the handle of Jarnbjorn, slinging it over his shoulder and into his two hands. Steeling himself for the coming confrontation he jumped down, catching himself landing on one knee, his other leg bent to absorb the blow. The stench of piss, shit and rotten flesh assaulted his senses. It had been bad enough struggling to avoid gagging at the top, down here it was near a thousand times worse. Looking up he found himself surrounded by five, giant, lumbering, orange-skinned trolls. Thick bushy hair poured out of their heads and armpits. One of them even had a large amount protruding out the top of their boot. [color=f9ad81]"What's this? A God, why?"[/color] The first of their number stood up. [color=f9ad81]"A God, come all this way to die?" [/color]The rest followed suit, drawing their weapons as they did so. Thor eyed them warily, axe in hand. Curling his fingers across the shaft slightly, keeping his grip loose, his entire body sat ready like a wound-up coil. One of the trolls sniffed at Thor, a low chuckle coming from deep in the trolls throat. [color=f9ad81]"This one bears the stink of Odin. He's one of Odin's brats. [I]Odinson[/i]".[/color] [b][color=6ecff6]"I am Thor, God of Thunder and protector of this realm. You will leave this realm, or face justice."[/color][/b] [color=f7976a]"What does an Asgardian know of justice?"[/color] Thor adjusted his stance slightly, adjusting to face the leader. He was too late when he heard the shuffling of feet behind him. Dropping jarnbjorn he dropped to his knees below the incoming sword. It glistened unnaturally as it passed over Thors head, he grimace slightly. [I]Dwarven weapons[/i]. While low Thor swept with his legs, knocking one of the trolls down. He reached out with his hand, then realised his mistake. Jarnbjorn didn't return to his hand. Thunder boomed overhead. He stumbled past another blow, and as a third troll swept down with a mace, Thor grabbed the shaft of the weapon, using it to lift himself off the ground he brought his feet up the stomach of the troll and kicked, sending the troll one way and himself now with the mace in the other direction. Throwing the mace at an incoming attacker Thor managed to return to his axe, raising it just in time to block the sword on the weapon, twisting it he struck the troll with the pommel. Dazing him and allowing himself to get some distance. Only to find himself backed into a corner. The trolls chuckled as they closed in on him in a semi-circle. Thor raised his axe high over his shoulder, bringing it straight down towards his closest attacker. When the troll went to block the obvious attack, Thor flicked his left wrist up, bringing the axe down in a curve. The lock of surprise was stained on the trolls face as the axe buried itself into its side, twisting his body, Thor turned away from the troll. Axe stained red with blood as there was a [I]thump[/i] as the troll fell to the ground. Swinging in a wide arc with the axe aimed at the troll on the other sides torso, he attempted a similar trick. Adjusting course at the last minute. The same trick didn't work twice, taking his right hand off the axe he caught the wrist of another troll as he attempted to stab into Thors side, squeezing and twisting hard the troll dropped his weapon to the ground as Thor brought his axe up and around with his free hand. Misjudging the weight he slammed the shaft of his weapon into his shoulder. Thor mentally chastised himself as he let go of the trolls wrist, now grabbing his axe with his two hands he lunged in a stab as the central troll pushed forward. The sharpened pommel caught the troll in the throat, blood spurted out catching Thor in the face. Pulling the weapon out to the side, the troll's head flopped lazily. Followed by the rest of his body. Panic struck the faces of the remaining three. [hr] [b][right]PRESENT DAY // OSLO // NORWAY[/right][/b] [quote=Previously]What little light remained from the beasts eyes started to fade. [I]"One you have faced before Odinson, and when he returns home. He shall teach you the meaning of pain."[/i] Before Thor could get another word in edgeways the beasts head lopped to the side, eyes vacant. Letting it drop it turned to ash and dust. Thor exclaimed in frustration, kicking a pebble that when assisted by God Strength and lightning went careering through a nearby wall. [/quote] Thor had remained at the museum for much the rest of the day, answering the questions of the local authorities, Kripos and surprisingly quickly. S.H.I.E.L.D agents. There was some large scale S.H.I.E.L.D operation going on out at sea. Thor wasn't surprised they hadn't asked for his help, the one issue he had with the agency was how secretive it could be on occasion. It was full of men and women with agendas. Much the same as various courts amongst the nine realms, including Odins own court. Thor had no mind for such games. He would always help people, consequences be damned. Once the interviews were concluded he made sure to take time to console the families that came to the museum in the hopes of finding loved ones alive and well. Thor tried the best he could to reassure them, yet many mortals regarded death with such finality. He always struggled to relate to them in their most vulnerable moments. Eventually, he managed to slip away, after all, he had more pressing issues at hand. Finding himself back at what S.H.I.E.L.D called him his 'safe house' on the edge of the city he walked in as the door as it detected his presence through various mortal magics allowing him entry. He collapsed onto his sofa, letting loose a deep breath. Closing his eyes for a second he could already hear the footsteps coming from through the back of the small apartment. [color=F4A460]"Thor we have a problem."[/color] [color=6ecff6][b]"I am aware."[/b][/color] Thor opened his eyes, gazing into the hazel eyes of Agent Roz Solomon. A trusted friend and agent. Who had been his S.H.I.E.L.D liaison after, as a joke she had posted online to invite him to her graduation. To which he had shown up. [color=F4A460]"I've been looking at the time-stamps of the activity at the museum, and the energy started to build up at the exact time S.H.I.E.L.D reported success out to sea-"[/color] [color=6ecff6][b]"Success with?"[/b][/color] Roz grimaced slightly. [color=F4A460]"You know I'm not at liberty to divulge everything, but I think it's the first place we should look."[/color] More blasted secrets. Even when their secrets left a price paid in blood, S.H.I.E.L.D still held onto them. [b][color=6ecff6]"Nay, first I must consult Selvig. The one who spoke said I had faced his master before."[/color][/b] [color=F4A460]"Surely if that was true, you'd remember him?"[/color] [color=6ecff6][b]"Do you remember every fly you've swatted?"[/b][/color] She winced. [color=F4A460]"Fair point."[/color] Thor sighed as he stood up, looming over the mortal woman. [color=6ecff6][b]"I did not mean to be so harsh, I just-"[/b][/color] [color=F4A460]"I understand."[/color] They lingered for a moment staring at each other before she cleared her throat. [color=F4A460]"I should, I'll go. I'll meet you out at the S.H.I.E.L.D site when you're ready?"[/color] Thor nodded, neglecting to watch as she turned and walked away.